Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kerala on Friday to inaugurate the Vizhinjam International Seaport transformed what was expected to be a routine infrastructure event into a powerful display of political theatre, laced with subtle jabs, strategic optics, and carefully crafted messaging. Addressing a large gathering in Thiruvananthapuram, PM Modi shared the stage with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, both prominent faces of the Opposition, and used the occasion to deliver a cheeky but calculated quip aimed at the INDIA bloc.
With a smile, Modi said, “I want to tell the Chief Minister, who is a strong pillar of the INDI alliance, and Shashi Tharoor, who is also sitting here, that today’s event is going to disturb the sleep of many.” The remark, though light-hearted in tone, was politically loaded, reflecting the Prime Minister’s growing tendency to turn non-political platforms into opportunities for political signalling. The underlying implication was clear: the successful implementation of a mega project in a non-BJP-ruled state, developed by the often-criticised Adani Group, and in the presence of key Opposition figures, would undoubtedly ruffle feathers within the INDIA alliance, a coalition often united more by anti-Modi sentiment than a cohesive agenda.
The Vizhinjam port project, developed under a public-private partnership by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), is India’s first deep-water transshipment hub, strategically located on the southern tip of the subcontinent. It is expected to significantly enhance India’s maritime trade competitiveness and reduce dependency on foreign ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai for transshipment. The project, long delayed and mired in controversies, was seen as a major infrastructural and diplomatic win for India, especially given its potential to attract global cargo traffic.
What added intrigue to the occasion was the dynamic between PM Modi and Shashi Tharoor. Unlike the cursory handshakes exchanged with others, Modi engaged Tharoor in a visibly warm, extended conversation on stage, sparking speculation in political circles. The moment gained further weight given Tharoor’s recent comments acknowledging the Modi government’s handling of certain international affairs, including its balancing act on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and strategic diplomacy with the United States.
Earlier that day, Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha, welcomed the Prime Minister at the airport and shared pictures on social media, stating he “barely made it in time” due to delays at the “dysfunctional Delhi airport.” His candid post, while light in tone, drew attention to domestic infrastructure challenges even as a new port was being celebrated.
The event also saw the presence of BJP’s Kerala unit president and Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who had previously contested against Tharoor in the Lok Sabha elections. Chandrasekhar recently called Tharoor “one of the few sane voices in Congress,” highlighting an unusual, albeit grudging, cross-party respect. Other dignitaries at the function included Kerala cabinet ministers and Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas.
Congress, however, was quick to react to the Prime Minister’s remarks. AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal fired back, questioning the basis of Modi’s claim. “I don’t know on what grounds PM Modi is saying this. The INDIA bloc, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress are not going to lose sleep. It is the Prime Minister who will be up at night, especially with the growing demand for the caste census and pressure on social justice issues,” he said.
Venugopal further accused the Modi government of employing diversionary tactics to avoid addressing substantive policy matters. “Just like the Women’s Reservation Bill was announced without immediate implementation, the caste census is also being dangled as a distraction. But we won’t stop pressing for it,” he added.
The political subtext of the Vizhinjam port inauguration cannot be ignored. It was as much about showcasing infrastructure as it was about asserting the central government's developmental credentials in a region where the BJP has traditionally struggled electorally. With the Adani Group’s involvement subtly reaffirming the government’s pro-industry image, and the presence of rival political figures turning the event into a multi-party stage, Modi once again demonstrated his ability to set the narrative—often on his own terms.
This strategic use of optics, mixed with sarcasm, infrastructure success, and bipartisan presence, positions the Vizhinjam port event as more than just an economic milestone. It was a carefully orchestrated message to the nation: development continues irrespective of political divides, and the BJP is confident enough to extend the olive branch—albeit with a smirk.
