T’puram/Thrissur: The CPM on Sunday stepped up its attack over the proposed share transfer between the Adani Group and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in the Vizhinjam International Seaport project, alleging that the deal was part of a preplanned move to hand over control of the port.CPM state secretary M V Govindan told reporters on Sunday that MSC’s objective was to secure complete control of the port and demanded that the share transfer agreement be cancelled. He alleged that the developments surrounding the transaction were carefully orchestrated and called for greater transparency.Govindan alleged that a specific agenda of chief minister V D Satheesan was being implemented at Vizhinjam. He said it was the UDF govt led by Oommen Chandy that entered into the agreement with the Adani Group for developing Vizhinjam port, and not the LDF or the CPM.He also accused Satheesan of facilitating the deal, alleging that he entered into a “major understanding” with the Adani Group and MSC. He said Rahul Gandhi should clarify his party’s stand on the issue.The CPM’s criticism follows remarks by opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan, who earlier termed the proposed share transfer “illegal”. He pointed out that under the concession agreement governing the Vizhinjam port project, any transfer involving more than 25% of the shares requires prior approval from the state govt.Questioning whether the transaction, reportedly finalised on June 29, received the govt’s approval, Vijayan asked the CM to clarify whether the concession agreement was violated and what legal action the govt proposed to take if that was the case. He also alleged that the transaction, projected as a major foreign investment, was essentially intended to enable the Adani Group to profit through the transfer of shares.
