Only recently, the Government was in the throes of a controversy over erecting a statue of the late EMS Naboodiripad.

The move by the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (TRIDA) to acquire a portion of land of the college in the heart of the city was initiated in a bid to widen the roads leading to the Marxist party headquarters -- AKG Centre -- and creating better parking facilities.

However, the move has stirred a hornet's nest, with a number of leading personalities, including former students of the prestigious college, and a number of associations protesting the move.

Urging the Government to reconsider its decision and evolve some other means to widen roads, noted poet and a former student Professor O N V Kurup, a known Left-thinker, said it was not the first time the college has been targetted in the name of the city'sdevelopment. Earlier, there were attempts to fell Mahogany tress at the college.

Talking to UNI, the Kalamandalam chairman, who is also a former professor of the college, felt the Government should hold discussions with the people concerned before arriving at a decision.

However, he said when he took up the issue with Assembly Speaker M Vijayakumar, he was assured that a hasty decision would not be taken.

``We will not allow them to fell trees and get away with their plans as of now, without necessary discussions with those concerned,'' he added.

Vijayakumar, local administration minister Paloli Mohhamed Kutty, Trida Chairman S Susheelan and senior officials had reportedly taken the decision to acquire the land for widening roads, for which it was proposed to fell some Mahogany trees and demolish a portion of the college building.

Former MP, K V Surendranath and former college principal Prof Nabissa Ummal too expressed concern over the move and warned of collective action against the bid. Women'sCommission chairperson Sugathakumari, noted writer Hridayakumari and university syndicate member V S Harindranath have also joined in the protest.

The pro-Left All India Students Federation, Centre for Nature Studies and Conservation Action and Information Network have protested the decision and warned of agitations to prevent the authorities from going ahead with the plan.

The institution, one of the most prestigious colleges of the State, has just 4.5 acres of land whereas UGC guidelines stipulate at least five acres. More than 3,000 students are enrolled in the college.

Meanwhile, TRIDA chairman S Susheelan maintained that the development plan would be carried out withouting causing any harm to the university college and the trees there. Before taking any decision, all the parties concerned would be consulted, he added.