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UDF Defends Ministers' Foreign Trips, Calls Criticism 'Petty'
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News18•21-09-2026, 16:15
UDF Defends Ministers' Foreign Trips, Calls Criticism 'Petty'
- •UDF leaders, including KPCC president Sunny Joseph and Sports Minister O J Janeesh, defended ministers' recent foreign trips against opposition criticism.
- •They asserted that no government funds were used for these trips, with ministers traveling on personal expenses or invitations from welfare organizations.
- •Minister Janeesh, 37, emphasized his right to short personal trips as long as official duties are not compromised and no taxpayer money is involved, stating, "Ministers are human too."
- •Janeesh highlighted that during his Qatar trip, he discussed the plight of incarcerated Malayali expatriates with the ambassador, aiming for their release.
- •UDF also defended Minister K M Shaji using a friend's Range Rover, claiming it saved government money compared to using a state vehicle.
Key Questions Answered
KPCC president Sunny Joseph stated that the travel did not use any government funds or involve grand tours. Sports Minister O J Janeesh defended the trips by noting that ministers are entitled to personal travel as long as it does not compromise their official duties or cost taxpayers money.
Minister O J Janeesh discussed the plight of incarcerated expatriates with ambassadors during his visit to Qatar, including addressing 32 applications from Malayalis requesting government intervention for their release.
KPCC president Sunny Joseph defended the use of the vehicle as a petty dispute and noted that it actually saved government money by avoiding expenses on state car diesel, repairs, tire changes, and driver wages.
