A massive political storm has erupted in Kerala over Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone’s (APSEZ) definitive agreement to sell a 49% stake in the Vizhinjam International Seaport to Terminal Investment Ltd, a subsidiary of the Switzerland-based shipping giant MSC Group, for approximately $1.4 billion (₹13,000 crore). Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM State Secretary M.V. Govindan have strongly condemned the deal, labeling it illegal and untenable because it was filed with SEBI before securing mandatory prior approval from the state government. The opposition claims that a transfer exceeding 25% constitutes a severe change in ownership structure that violates the original 2015 concession agreement, and they express deep concerns that the deal will allow MSC to establish a corporate monopoly over shipping logistics. Conversely, APSEZ CEO Ashwani Gupta clarified that the Adani Group will maintain strict majority control (51%) and operational dominance, assuring the public that Vizhinjam will remain a non-discriminatory, open-access facility for all global shipping lines.