Kerala Cabinet's taking a hard look at Adani Group's plan to sell its 49% stake in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited (AVPPL). Decision made July 8,2026. An Empowered Committee,led by Chief Secretary,will decide if selling to Switzerland's Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group benefits the state.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan made it clear: Kerala's welfare comes first. "We will not take any decision which goes against Kerala’s interests," he said after the Cabinet meeting . Tensions high with the Opposition,especially LDF,who are making noise about the deal's implications.
Satheesan slammed LDF for dodging responsibility . He said CPI(M)-linked paper, Deshabhimani,first reported share transfer on June 5. But the current government's Managing Director of Vizhinjam International Seaport only started June 11,raising questions about what the last administration knew .
On July 1,Deshabhimani claimed LDF knew about MSC talks,which Satheesan says contradicts their current stance. UDF government only found out about share transfer talks from media . Adani's been in discussions with MSC for almost a year,it turns out.
After Adani wrote to SEBI about the proposed deal,Kerala government voiced concerns. Chief Minister said they told Adani they were unhappy, leading company to seek permission for share transfer.
Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan worried MSC's involvement could mean monopolies at the port. Satheesan fired back,saying the port's original agreement ensures it's open to all users,no contract breach yet as no shares have changed hands. Any share transfer needs approval from Union Home and Shipping ministries.
Satheesan defended holding multiple key roles, like Finance, Ports, and Law,against criticism. He compared himself to former Chief Minister Vijayan,who managed 29 portfolios, including IT. "Did he hold on to the IT portfolio to indulge in corruption, as is being alleged against me?" Satheesan asked. He said he took Finance at Congress' insistence, while his interest in Ports comes from his vision for Vizhinjam, needing close work with Chief Minister's Office.
Drama around Vizhinjam port deal shows how complex governance can be when state interests meet corporate deals . As the Empowered Committee starts its review, political tensions in Kerala stay high with both sides gearing up for more debate on the port's future and what it means for state.
