The inauguration of the six-lane Thalassery-Mahe national highway bypass by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 11 transformed into a political showdown between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF), as both vied for credit for completing the project.
The inauguration of the bypass, spanning across the Kannur and Vadakara Lok Sabha constituencies, saw both the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the LDF holding roadshows on the stretch featuring their respective candidates, claiming credit for the completion of the long-awaited project.
Flex boards featuring NDA candidates Praful Krishna (Kannur) and C. Raghunath (Vadakara), containing congratulatory messages to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the completion of the bypass, appeared near the toll gate. The candidates also took out a procession, accompanied by BJP national vice-president A.P. Abdullakutty and party supporters, in an open jeep, drumming up fervour ahead of the inauguration.
