I am not leaving Kerala but the state has chased me out: Sabu Jacob, Kitex MD

Kitex group managing director Sabu Jacob hit out against the Kerala state government's alleged vendetta against him." Kerala does not see any changes. I am not leaving Kerala but the state has chased me out," said Sabu Jacob before heading out to Hyderabad from Kochi Airport.

Ernakulam(Kerala): Kitex group managing director Sabu Jacob hit out against the Kerala state government's alleged vendetta against him. Sabu Jacob's Kitex group is the second-largest children's apparel manufacturer in the world. The group head recently withdrew from a Rs 3500 Cr project for which it had signed a memorandum with the Kerala government at the 'Ascend Global Investors Meet' in Kochi on January 2020.

Sabu Jacob's recent outbursts against the LDF government comes after there were notices sent to him over labour law compliance in Kitex factories. The outraged managing director of the group said that the reason why entrepreneurship suffers in the state is due to harassment by officials. He also said that the state government does not make it conducive for investors to bring industries to the state.

Telangana government invited Sabu Jacob to the state for setting up his proposed Rs 3500 Cr unit in the state. He was sent a private jet to bring him to Hyderabad to hold talks with the Telangana government. A six-member team led by Kitex MD Sabu M Jacob will hold talks with the Telangana government on the proposed project. Sabu Jacob had earlier spoken to Industries Minister KT Rama Rao and other top officials over the phone.

Sabu Jacob before heading to Hyderabad spoke to the media at Kochi Airport. He said that he didn't want to leave Kerala but was rather kicked out of the state.

“It was my dream to provide employment to tens of thousands in Kerala. Kerala is still 50 years behind in terms of industrial matters. Kerala does not see any changes. I am not leaving Kerala. But the state has chased me out. No one called when he said that he had canceled an investment project worth Rs 3,500 crore. But ministers and top officials of states including Telangana called and spoke to me. I am sad and disappointed," said Sabu Jacob.

Kitex group's political stint in the local body elections with its members fighting the dominant political fronts like the LDF and the UDF has been controversial. Under the banner of a non-profit organisation Kizhakkambalam, the corporate had fielded candidates to the recently held assembly elections.