PM Modi mocks INDIA bloc with 'sleepless nights' jibe in presence of Shashi Tharoor, Pinarayi Vijayan

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a pointed dig at the opposition INDIA bloc during the inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, highlighting the presence of two key opposition figures, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, at the event.
"I want to tell CM, you are a strong pillar of INDI alliance, Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here. Today's event will give sleepless nights to several people," PM Modi remarked, drawing attention to the apparent contradiction of opposition leaders sharing the stage with him.

During the inauguration event of Vizhinjam port, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan also expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for his role in dedicating the landmark project to the nation. "On behalf of the people of Kerala, I once again express our sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister for visiting our state to dedicate the landmark project to the nation. I also extend my congratulations to the Adani Group for executing this mission with excellence," Vijayan said.

Meanwhile, responding to PM Modi's statement, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said, "I don't know on what ground PM is saying this. What is going to happen in this country, the PM will be the one who will be having sleepless nights, not INDIA bloc, Rahul Gandhi, or Congress. We are going to put maximum pressure on him on the issue of the caste census. We will sleep peacefully, but it is going to be difficult for the PM to sleep."
Moreover, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday shared photos with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Thiruvananthapuram as he welcomed him in his constituency. "Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in my constituency," the Congress MP wrote while sharing photos in which he was seen welcoming PM Modi with warm handshake.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala on Friday, built at an estimated cost of Rs 8,867 crore.
The event was attended by Kerala governor Rajendra Arlekar, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor.
The port, located in Thiruvananthapuram district, is seen as a key development in boosting India’s position in global trade and shipping.
Developed under a public-private partnership, the deep-water port has been built by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), which is part of the Adani Group.
The port received its commercial commissioning certificate on December 4 last year, following a successful trial run.