Close on the heels of the CPI(M)-led LDF opposition, RSS ideologue P Parameswaran today expressed apprehension that the event would ultimately turn out to be a pretext to sell out natural assets and grievously harm the state's fragile ecological system.
"There are many well-meaning people other than the Leftists who have genuine suspicion about the motives behind the event. It is feared that the meet will end up to be a case of submerging Kerala," he said in a statement here.
Parameswaran, who heads the pro-RSS cultural body Bharatheey Vichara Kendram, also voiced concern about the cultural consequences of the policies and plans mooted as part of the three-day event, scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Kochi on September 12.
"Kerala might lose its cultural identity by becoming an amorphous conglomeration of mega projects by vested interests. It might lose its ecological and cultural characteristics which made it the famous God's Own Country," he said.
Apart from ecological fallout, flow of huge investment, including those from oil-rich Gulf, to a city like Kochi would result in marginalisation of the traditional business communities which had built the city's business enterprises and given it a cosmopolitan cultural tradition, he said.
"Kochi has a great potential to develop but it should be on the basis of its own organic and well designed manner," he said and suggested Gujarat could be model for Kerala to develop as both states have similarities like long coast line, a chain of small harbors and potential for goods transportation through sea.
LDF has hinted that it would not cooperate with the venture alleging it appeared to be a ruse to sabotage land reforms and hand over natural assets to private business interests.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, the mastermind behind the programme, however, refuted the allegations and made it clear that government would press ahead with the event.
According to Chandy, it is not a mere exercise to lure investment but a larger venture to obtain ideas, concepts and strategies to take Kerala forward.
