Kerala Minister denies Baalu's allegations on MSDC Meet

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 23 (UNI) Kerala Ports Minister M Vijayakumar today termed as 'baseless and factually incorrect'' the reported statement of Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu that he kept away from the eighth Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) Meet at Kochi despite being extended an invitation.

''There was no such letter or telephone call inviting me to the Conference,'' the minister said in a statement here.

The local media reported that Mr Baalu expressed disappointment at the absence of Mr Vijaykumar at the meeting. ''This charge is baseless and factually incorrect. I strongly deny the charges and seek an explanation from the Central minister,'' he added.

He alleged that the Centre had not followed the minimum procedures for holding such a meeting in Kerala. The state government was not informed about the meeting hosted by the Cochin Port Trust which is a Union government institution.

Mr Vijayakumar said that such an attitude of the Centre should be seen as a neglect towards the state.

Mr Vijayakumar's statement assumes significance in the contest of allegations by political parties that the Union Minister was taking a favourable stand towards the projects in Tamil Nadu by scuttling similar projects in neighbouring Kerala.

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