Tags: Kerala , Thiruvananthapuram , Achuthanandan , ASEAN pact

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today termed as `disgraceful' views favouring the Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN expressed by Union Minister Vayalar Ravi and Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy.

In a statement here, Achuthanandan said Ravi had not so far denied reports that he, along with Defence Minister A K Antony had opposed the ASEAN pact in the union cabinet, as it harmed the interests of Kerala farmers.

Chandy's statement that CPI-M was opposing the pact for its 'love' for Chinese products which would suffer with the implementation of the agreement was ridiculous, Achuthanandan said. Both the leaders were 'misleading' the public on the contents of the agreement, he said.

Coconut farmers and fishermen in the state would suffer most due to the agreement, he said.

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