Union Minister Suresh Gopi’s recent claim that he never said that Kochi Metro would be extended to Thrissur has backfired. Social media users have uncovered an old Facebook post from 2019 in which Mr Gopi had clearly called for connecting Kochi Metro to Thrissur, contradicting his current statement. Speaking at the ‘SG Coffee Times’ interaction in Puthurkara, Thrissur recently, the minister clarified that he had only suggested that once the metro line reaches Angamaly, it should have one branch to Coimbatore via Palliekkara, and the other branch connecting Nattika, Thriprayar, Guruvayoor and Tanur.

However, his old Facebook post from April 10, 2019 tells a different story. Mr Gopi had then written, “Travel is a triumph over distance. The struggle to travel remains a daily headache for us.

To solve the travel problems between Thrissur and Ernakulam, Kochi Metro should be extended to Thrissur. ” This contradiction set social media on fire inviting sarcastic and derisive comments.

At the same event, Mr. Gopi also said that he had never promised AIIMS for Thrissur, adding that his demand for the institute in Alappuzha stemmed from “the decline of the district under communism”. “I am not motivated by politics or regionalism,” he said.

“Even before becoming MP from Thrissur, I had said that AIIMS should be built in Alappuzha. I am a man of my words and never go back on what I say.

” Responding to criticism over his earlier use of the word praja (citizen), Mr Gopi said, “His political comments are being distorted by hired writers. I am not afraid of it. My discussions included issues unresolved over the years.

People can see the truth themselves. “.