{
  "id": 12398003,
  "title": "Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Keralam Health Minister Muraleedharan in verbal duel over AIIMS",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/union-minister-suresh-gopi-keralam-health-minister-muraleedharan-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T14:36:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/union-minister-suresh-gopi-keralam-health-minister-muraleedharan-in-verbal-duel-over-aiims/article71552109.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 6, 2026, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi and Keralam Health Minister K. Muraleedharan exchanged words regarding the establishment of an AIIMS in the state. Gopi challenged Muraleedharan to discuss the matter with him, to which the latter declined, stating that he did not regard the Union Minister as a politician. The verbal altercation erupted after Gopi learned from reporters that Muraleedharan had allegedly questioned the Union Minister's understanding of the situation surrounding the AIIMS.\n\nGopi responded by stating, \"ask him to come and sit with me on the issue if he has the courage for it.\" He also mentioned that he was weary of repeatedly explaining the differences between the Central and State lists in the Constitution. According to Gopi, health is a State subject, but the Union government provides infrastructural support, and the government is keen on setting up AIIMS in all states. He reiterated that Thrissur is the ideal location for the AIIMS in Keralam, as it is accessible from all parts of the state and economically advantageous.\n\nWhen reporters approached Muraleedharan about Gopi's challenge, he declined to accept it, asserting that Gopi was not a politician. Muraleedharan also took a jab at Gopi, claiming that due to his party's performance in Thrissur, the Union Minister's presence contributed to their gaining third position in all seats. He also mentioned that he had suggested adding Alappuzha to the list in February 2026 and indicated several other potential locations for the AIIMS, including Vaikom in Kottayam district, Chalakudy in Thrissur district, Kasaragod, and Kozhikode. However, he mentioned that they had not received a proposal for a fifth location yet.",
  "summary": "The Union Minister says Thrissur is the apt location for AIIMS while Health Minister reportedly says that the former is making statements about establishing an AIIMS without being aware of the entire facts",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Keralam Forest Minister, former IFS officer spar over Chinnakkanal issue",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/keralam-forest-minister-former-ifs-officer-spar-over-chinnakkanal",
        "published": "2026-10-06T13:50:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}