Thiruvananthapuram, May 2, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi sparked a political buzz on Thursday with a pointed remark during the inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala. Sharing the stage with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Modi commented that their presence together would cause “sleepless nights to many,” triggering sharp responses from opposition leaders.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said, “The Chief Minister here is a strong pillar of the INDI alliance. Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here. Today’s event will take away the sleep of many.” The remark is widely seen as a dig at the INDIA opposition bloc and an attempt to highlight rifts within the Congress, particularly amid Tharoor’s recent praise of the Modi government’s diplomacy and handling of sensitive issues.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal dismissed the Prime Minister’s comment, saying, “We will sleep peacefully. It is the Prime Minister who will have sleepless nights.” The exchange added fuel to the ongoing tension between the ruling BJP and the opposition coalition in the run-up to national elections.
Shashi Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in Parliament, welcomed PM Modi at the airport and expressed pride in the port project. He posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi… Looking forward to his officially commissioning Vizhinjam port, a project I have been proud to have been involved with since its inception.”
The Vizhinjam International Seaport is expected to boost India’s maritime infrastructure, with the potential to become a major transshipment hub. It is a key component of Kerala’s economic development strategy and has seen bipartisan support over the years.
