Just when the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI-M] appeared to be losing the plot on the contentious SilverLine semi high-speed rail corridor project, the Supreme Court on Monday came out with what could be a face-saving order for the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala.
The Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking to defer the boundary survey for social impact assessment study even as the government was struggling to strike a delicate balance between its ambitious plans and pacify angry agitators.
However,the political challenge for the CPI(M) would continue as the streamrolling tactics of the government to lay demarcation stones not only invited public wrath but also drew flak even from its partner, the Communist Party of India (CPI). K. Prakash Babu, CPI assistant secretary and national council member, even sought the government to mend its ways and address the apprehensions of the people rather than acting too hastily on the project.
