The campaign against the administration is run by Kerala

FOR MORE THAN a month now, Lakshadweep administrator Praful Khodabhai Patel has been in the eye of the storm. Lakshadweep residents, including several BJP leaders, are unhappy over a slew of decisions taken by his administration. Patel, a former minister of state for home from Gujarat and a close confidante of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, denies there is any “saffron agenda” in his decisions. And, the fears of the islanders are unfounded, he says. Excerpts from the interview:

- NANDINI OZA

Praful Khodabhai Patel, administrator, Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep residents fear that their land will be taken away from them and given to outsiders in the name of development.

This is due to a lack of information on their part. Development authorities are necessary. We want to bring well-planned development to Kavaratti and other islands. Hence, the proposal to form a [Lakshadweep] Development Authority. The fears are unfounded.

Why not consult with local elected bodies and islanders?

The draft notifications have been kept in the public notice as per the rules. We received several objections. These objections were studied and then the proposals had been forwarded to the Centre. How would the objections come if they were not aware?

My understanding is that the opposition [to the proposals] has begun from Kerala. The Union territory is independent. The campaign [against the administration] is run by Kerala.

You have banned beef and aided the sale of liquor on an island group with a 95 per cent Muslim population.

Why is everything seen from a communal angle? It is to promote tourism. The permit for liquor is in resorts and for tourists. This has been clarified repeatedly.

What was the need to bring in the Goonda Act at a place where there is hardly any crime?

There is an international sea route. In the past, there have been instances of drugs, weapons and ammunition being caught. There have been cases of marijuana smuggling on the island.