Targeting the Chandy government at a function at the BrahMos unit here yesterday, Antony had regretted the atmosphere in the state was not conducive for bringing defence sector projects.
Causing deep embarrassment to Chandy and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, who were present, Antony went on to say the situation was much better during previous LDF government, headed by Achuthanandan, and he had received total support from it in his endeavour to bring several projects to Kerala.
UDF Convener P P Thankachan, however, sought to play down Antony's comments arguing what the senior leader had in mind was concern about trade union activities in defence production units.
In his usual acerbic tongue, Achuthanandan asked Chandy whether he would remain in office after the critical comments from his party senior.
"This certificate has come from a person who is occupying the second slot in the Union Cabinet. Would Chandy display that around his neck and continue in office? Let him decide," the former state chief minister told reporters here.
Antony's remarks were interpreted by political circles and the local media as a clear expression of displeasure at the way ruling UDF had been conducting the state's affairs in the last one and half years.
Thankachan, however, said much politics need not be read into Antony's remarks as he could be referring to the trade union troubles at the BrahMos unit in Kerala capital.
The unions at BrahMos, including those affilated to pro-Congress INTUC, had been at loggerheads with the management of BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd.
The Indo-Russion missile production unit was set up here in 1998 after the central take over of a loss-making state enterprise.
