Thiruvananthapuram, September 17 (Daily Kiran) : Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi lauded the Kerala government led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan during a recent address in Thiruvananthapuram. He emphasized the exceptional support the central government is receiving from the state for advancing development projects.
Gopi noted that the current assistance from the state government is unprecedented compared to the last decade. He expressed confidence in the ability to engage with Chief Minister Satheesan and other state officials regarding matters related to development and central government initiatives.
He stated, “Today, we can reach out to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and others for anything.” Gopi highlighted that improved coordination between the center and the state will facilitate the introduction of more central schemes in Kerala.
His remarks are significant given the historical political rivalry between the BJP and the Congress-led state government. They suggest a willingness to collaborate on development initiatives despite political differences.
Additionally, Gopi supported the police action during a recent raid on the office of Reporter TV, which is under investigation for alleged financial fraud. Defending the police’s actions, he described the raid as a standard procedure that can occur at any time.
He questioned the varied reactions to the police search, which often depend on whether the individual being searched is a journalist or an ordinary citizen. “When police enter an ordinary person’s home, there is usually no reaction,” he remarked.
Gopi dismissed suggestions that journalists should be treated differently during such searches, asserting that they are ordinary citizens too. His comments come amid ongoing political controversy regarding the police action against Reporter TV and its managing editor, Anto Augustine.
Opposition parties and others have raised concerns about the potential impact of this action on media freedom. The Kerala government maintains that the police operation was related to serious criminal investigations and had no connection to the media organization’s operations or news coverage.
However, Gopi’s endorsement of the police action raises questions about the boundaries of police powers when involving a media entity. When pressed specifically about media freedom in light of the raid, he responded sharply, asking the questioner, “Who are you?”
His statements regarding collaboration with the Satheesan government and the raid on Reporter TV come at a time when the relationship between the central government and the newly elected state administration is under close scrutiny. While the BJP and Congress remain the principal political adversaries in Kerala, Gopi’s comments suggest that political differences should not hinder cooperation on development projects.
Furthermore, his support for the police action adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding the limits of police authority and the implications of raids involving media organizations.
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