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Published - October 22, 2026 10:19 am IST - KOLLAM
The Vistadome coach of the Madurai-Guruvayur Express | Photo Credit: special arrangement
A political dispute has broken out between United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs over who deserves credit for securing a Vistadome coach for the Madurai-Guruvayur Express. The controversy erupted when N.K. Premachandran and Kodikunnil Suresh took to social media to claim that they had been instrumental in bringing the specialised tourist-friendly railway coach to Kerala, triggering an open tug-of-war between the leaders.
The friction escalated when Abdullah Azad, a member of Kodikunnil Suresh’s personal staff, posted a veiled criticism targeting N.K. Premachandran. Azad remarked that merely submitting formal representations to the authorities was insufficient without consistent follow-ups, adding that true public service required active and persistent tracking of proposals.
Responding to the developments, N.K. Premachandran told the media that his relentless efforts over several years had led to the achievement. He maintained that he had been lobbying for the Vistadome coach ever since he became a Lok Sabha member, securing initial assurances from the Central railway authorities by highlighting the tourism potential of the Kollam region.
Rejecting those claims, Kodikunnil Suresh asserted that he had laid the groundwork for the train service itself. Citing his tenure as a former Union Minister, during which he helped introduce the Punalur-Guruvayur train in 2013, Suresh defended his role, arguing that the coach was a natural follow-up to the train service he had secured through his efforts. He brushed aside the criticism, stating that he worked solely for the needs of the public and that nobody had any reason to feel jealous or find fault with his achievements.
Published - October 22, 2026 10:19 am IST
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