Technocrat E. Sreedharan, better known as “Metroman”, has said he is ready to be the chief minister of Kerala if the BJP is voted to power in the upcoming elections.

Set to join the BJP in a few days after having accepted the party’s offer, Sreedharan, 88, told PTI on Friday: “If they want (me to become chief minister), certainly. To tell you very frankly, unless I am chief minister these (ideas) cannot be achieved.”

He was referring to some development initiatives he wanted to implement in Kerala.

The engineer was the brain behind landmark projects such as Metro train networks and the Konkan railway line that connects north Kerala to Goa.

Sreedharan said the ruling Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Front had failed to usher in any development. “They have taken turns to rule the state all these years, but failed to bring any major development.”

He made it clear that he was not open to gubernatorial positions. “I have not discussed anything with them (the BJP). But I don’t want to become a governor,” said Sreedharan, who is leading a retired life at his native Ponnani in Malappuram district.