Not blindly opposing the idea of Prime Minister's offices in states: Oommen Chandy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said he was not averse to the idea of setting up Prime Minister's offices at state level mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"It is a new idea of the Prime Minister. I have read it in newspapers. I am not a person who would blindly oppose any new idea. However, the main thing would be whether it resolves problems related to states," Chandy said when asked about the proposal during cabinet briefing here.

"How the system would function is more important. It if was meant to speed up development projects in states, then it is a different matter," he said.

However, he said "I also do not think that there would be any changes in states just because of PM's office. There is also no difficulty for ministers from states to visit Delhi and meet Central ministers for taking up state issues".

On meeting the Prime Minister, Chandy said he would be going to Delhi on June 1 and was expected to meet Modi the next day. Though, it would be a courtesy call, definitely issues related to the state also would figure during the meeting, he said.

Chandy had already made it clear that Congress led UDF government in Kerala did not believe in confrontation with the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

On government's approach to Gadgil and Kasthurirangan reports on Western Ghats preservation in the wake of NDA coming to power as BJP has stated that it want to implement Gadgil Committee report, Chandy said the UDF government's stand was clear on the issue. "We want to preserve environment without affecting the livelihood of farmers and persons settled in those places," he said.

On the proposed KGS group initiated private Airport at Aranmula, he said all necessary sanction for the project was given by previous LDF government and Centre had also given certain sanctions.

The project was moving forward on the basis of these sanctions, Chandy said when pointed out that BJP in the state had the project.

To a question whether there would be any cabinet reshuffle in the state as stated by him during the time of election, he said he would be meeting AICC leaders during his visit to Delhi and post-poll situation in the state would be taken up with Congress leaders.