CPM Criticizes Kerala CM Satheesan for Private Visit During Rain Disaster

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM leaders on Sunday criticised Kerala chief minister V D Satheesan for visiting the residence of a Youth League leader in Malappuram, saying the visit was inappropriate while thousands across the state were grappling with rain-related disasters. In a Facebook post, CPM Rajya Sabha MP A A Rahim shared visuals of the chief minister attending an event in Ponnani, Malappuram, saying he initially found them "unbelievable" before verifying their authenticity. Rahim alleged that while thousands of people across several districts were reeling from the rain-related disaster, Satheesan attended a gathering at the residence of a Youth League leader in Ponnani and was served a lavish meal. Youth League is the youth wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Rahim said that during such an unprecedented crisis, it was the foremost responsibility of those in power to instil confidence among the people. As the chairperson of the State Disaster Management Authority, the chief minister should be coordinating relief operations efficiently during such an emergency, he told PTI. "Setting aside these official responsibilities and spending time as a guest at a Youth League leader's house is completely inappropriate and ill-timed," Rahim alleged. He further said that at a time when the entire state was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, prioritising personal interests and hospitality over official responsibilities was an affront to the people. The CPM leader urged Satheesan to immediately cancel all other engagements and devote his full attention to coordinating disaster relief efforts. Former MLA V K Prasanth also shared the videos on social media and criticised Satheesan, drawing a comparison with former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Prasanth claimed that whenever Kerala faced natural disasters, Vijayan would cancel his scheduled events and personally oversee rescue and relief operations. Satheesan attended multiple events in Malappuram on Saturday. Meanwhile, multiple landslides and floods triggered by heavy rain were reported across Kerala on Saturday, claiming several lives. Senior CPM leader and former education minister V Sivankutty, speaking at a press conference, said the chief minister's participation in a private function while people across the state were grappling with rain-related distress was akin to "Nero fiddling while Rome burned." Drawing a comparison with the previous LDF government, Sivankutty said, "Kerala witnessed how Vijayan led the state from the front during the two major floods and the Covid-19 pandemic. Satheesan should follow that example." Sivankutty also alleged that the chief minister had misused the government's helicopter for personal purposes by undertaking two trips between Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. "The helicopter was not used for disaster relief or any urgent official requirement. The CM should apologise to the people of Kerala, and the entire expenditure for the trips should be recovered from him," he said. Meanwhile, Kerala Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh said that as the state was dealing with heavy rains related disasters, it was not the time to make political allegations and the focus should be on providing relief to the affected people. The minister was responding to reporters' queries at Pathanamthitta about criticisms against Satheesan over his use of a government-hired helicopter for a personal visit to Kochi and attending an event at the residence of a Youth League leader in Malappuram. "Right now, the focus should be on taking care of the people. Once the situation improves, the CM will reply to all these controversies. The CM only asked me to camp here and coordinate relief efforts." "He has called the District Collector here thrice, enquiring about the situation due to the rains and if any additional assistance is required. So, there is no need to make any political accusations and allegations in the current situation. I do not think responsible people will create controversies in the prevailing situation," Vishnunadh said. A section of the media had reported that Satheesan recently used a helicopter to visit his ailing father-in-law, who is undergoing treatment in Kochi, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition CPM over the CM's decision. Health minister K Muraleedharan defended the use of helicopters, saying his father and former Kerala chief minister K Karunakaran had travelled by helicopter the most. He said helicopters are used in emergencies as they help reach destinations much faster than rail or road, and there was nothing wrong with using them when required. "We have not criticised the use of helicopter by Vijayan," he added. Satheesan has not yet reacted to these allegations.