Not interested in governorship; open to becoming Kerala CM if BJP comes to power: 'Metroman' E Sreedharan

E Sreedharan said on Friday that he is entering the political fray with an aim to bring the BJP to power in Kerala and work for the state's benefit.

Thiruvananthapuram: 'Metroman' E Sreedharan, who is all set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, has said that he is open to taking up the chief minister’s post if the party comes to power in Kerala.

BJP Kerala chief K Surendran had announced on Thursday that Sreedharan will be joining the party this week.

The technocrat told news agency PTI on Friday that he is entering the political fray with an aim to bring the BJP to power in Kerala and work for the state's benefit.

“If the BJP wins Kerala Assembly polls, the focus will be on bringing the state out of debt trap and develop infrastructure there,” Sreedharan was quoted as saying.

On a question as to why he is more inclined to become the CM and not Governor, Sreedharan said he is not interested in governorship as in that position, he would not be able to contribute to the state.

He said the 'constitutional' position of Governor has “no powers at all”.

Sreedharan, popularly known as the ‘Metroman’, is a much-admired technocrat. He is recognised across India and even abroad for having transformed the face of the public transport system in the country.

The announcement of him joining the BJP ahead of the polls in Kerala brought cheer among the party cadre in the state. The BJP is aiming to put forward a strong fight in the elections in the southern state this time around.

According to Surendran, Sreedharan will join the BJP on Sunday when the party launches its two-week-long Vijaya Yatra in the state. The yatra is being organised from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram to "expose the misrule" of the present LDF government and the previous UDF dispensation.

Sreedharan said that by joining the BJP, he aims to provide the people of Kerala the fruits of development which they were being currently deprived of due to the self-centric attitude of the current CPI(M)-led LDF government.

The 88-year old has also expressed his willingness to contest the elections if the party wants.