Ahead Of Kerala Elections, 'Metroman' E Sreedharan Says, 'Ready To Become CM If BJP Wins'

On being probed about not joining any other party in the state, the technocrat said he wanted to do things for the benefit of Kerala as the UDF and the LDF have not been able to bring any tangible progress to the state.

Image: E Sreedharan Twiiter

After the ‘metro man E Sreedharan announced his decision to join the BJP next week, the technocrat said his intention is to help the party win elections in Kerala and also shared his openness to become the chief ministers. The 88-year-old technocrat clearly mentioned that he will not be interested in the governorship, implying it is purely a "constitutional position and no powers at all" and the position will not help him make any positive contribution to the state.

What did E Sreedharan say about the position of Kerala CM?

While talking to the news agency PTI, the former chief of Delhi metro said the focus will remain on developing infrastructure in a big way and bring the state out of the debt trap given the BJP wins assembly polls likely to be held in April-May this year.

On being asked whether he is open to chief ministership, he said, "If they (BJP) want, certainly. To tell you very frankly, unless I am the chief minister these (priorities) cannot be achieved." While stating about his desire for the position, Sreedharan said that he is "certainly" ready to be the chief minister if the party wants him to be after coming to power, as per the agency. "The state is in a debt trap today, so much of borrowings. And debt burden on each Malayalee is Rs 1.2 lakh today... That means we are heading for bankruptcy and the government still continues to borrow. The state finances need to be propped up and for that, we need to find a solution," he said.

On being probed about not joining any other party in the state, Sreedharan said that he wanted to do things for the benefit of Kerala as the UDF and the LDF have not been able to bring any tangible progress to the state. "Why I chose BJP is for a different reason. The two others in Kerala -- UDF and LDF -- have been ruling Kerala alternately. They have not been able to bring any tangible progress to the state, not even one industry has come to the state in the last 20 years."

"They were having tussles with the (central) government all the time. The two governments are not able to see eye to eye on many matters. The development of the state is suffering. If the BJP comes to power here, they will have a good rapport with the Government of India," he said. He was referring to apparent differences between the Centre and the ruling LDF in Kerala.