Satheesan asks Pinarayi to clarify whether Adani Group took steps to sell stake in Vizhinjam port during LDF government

Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Friday wanted Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan to clarify whether the Adani group had taken any action or contacted the CPI(M)-led LDF government then in power in Kerala regarding the stake sale in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited (AVPPL).

Responding to Mr. Vijayan’s recent remarks on the proposed Adani-MSC stake sale, Mr. Satheesan asked whether representatives of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) had attended the Vizhinjam conclave organized by the LDF government in 2025. There was no evidence that the CPI(M) mouthpiece had published a report on the proposed July 1 sale of the (26) LDF government, he asked.

Even earlier, on June 5, the mouthpiece of the CPI(M) had published a report that an “MSC terminal” would be set up in Vizhinjam, Mr. Satheesan said. Mr. Satheesan asked whether this development would have taken place without the knowledge of the LDF government and Mr. Vijayan, who was then the Chief Minister.

Mr. Satheesan also wanted Mr. Vijayan to explain what was the wrongdoing on the part of the current UDF government on the Vizhinjam issue.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government would keep the interests of the state at the forefront while taking decisions about Vizhinjam. The government received the first notice from the Adani Group of the proposed sale on the evening of July 1. The next day, the state government expressed its displeasure at the company for approaching the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regarding the proposal without seeking prior approval from the Kerala government. Subsequently, the state government has also constituted a committee empowered to investigate the matter, he said.

Mr. Satheesan also pointed out that the Government of Kerala is not a shareholder of AVPPL. But Article 5.3 of the Vizhinjam Port Concession Agreement required the prior approval of the government to sell the stake. Clause 5.8 provided that no single company could monopolize facilities for common users.

On July 7, Mr. Vijayan said the transaction, if allowed, would be detrimental to the state’s interests. He also urged SEBI to examine whether Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited’s (APSEZ) disclosure of the share purchase and subscription agreement relating to AVPPL is in compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.

Published – 10 Jul 2026 20:48 IST