Stories
Congress Leaders Defend Keralam CM Over Chartered Flight Controversy
- •Senior Congress leaders, including Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and MP Shashi Tharoor, defended Keralam CM V D Satheesan's use of a sponsored chartered flight.
- •The CM used the flight to visit Nilambur after six people died in a flash flood, drawing criticism from the CPI(M)-led LDF.
- •Radhakrishnan stated the emergency warranted the decision and dismissed concerns about the private entity providing the aircraft, noting he knew the family and they were prominent Congress supporters.
- •Tharoor emphasized that chief ministers nationwide use private aircraft for emergencies and saw no issue with Satheesan quickly reaching the disaster site.
- •LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan demanded a Vigilance probe into the CM's alleged sponsored travel, accusing him of violating his oath of office.
Key Questions Answered
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan travelled by a chartered flight to reach Malappuram urgently to visit Nilambur, where six people died in a flash flood. The trip was made because an emergency situation warranted a quick response, and the government did not spend any money from the state exchequer for the flight.
The aircraft used for the Chief Minister's journey belonged to Kelachandra Logistics, a company owned by the family of Karnataka Energy Minister and senior Congress leader K.J. George. Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan noted that he personally knew the family and voters who provided the aircraft.
The CPI(M)-led LDF and opposition outfits strongly criticized the Chief Minister, demanding a Vigilance probe and questioning the undisclosed sponsor behind the chartered flight. The DYFI also announced statewide protests, alleging that accepting such sponsorship and keeping the details secret violated official responsibilities and transparency.
