CPM slams Kerala CM Satheesan over Malappuram visit amid rain crisis
CPI(M) leaders criticised Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan for attending a private event in Malappuram during the state's rain-related disaster, calling it inappropriate. A state minister defended the chief minister, urging political parties to prioritise relief and rehabilitation efforts
Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP A A Rahim and former MLA V K Prasanth on Sunday criticised Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan over his visit to the residence of a Youth League leader in Malappuram, alleging that it was inappropriate at a time when thousands of people across the state were reeling from rain-related disasters.
In a Facebook post, Rahim shared visuals of the chief minister attending an event in Ponnani in Malappuram and said that it initially appeared “unbelievable” before he could confirm it. He alleged that while thousands of people in different districts were suffering due to the disaster, Satheesan spent time as a guest at the residence of a Youth League leader in Malappuram’s Ponnani and had a lavish meal.
Youth League is the youth wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Rahim said that when the state was passing through an extremely serious crisis, it was the primary 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 said.
“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 when the entire state was gripped by fear and anxiety, giving priority to personal interests and hospitality over official responsibilities amounted to a challenge to the people.
The CPI(M) leader urged Satheesan to immediately cancel all other engagements and focus on coordinating disaster relief operations. Prasanth also shared the videos on his social media account and criticised Satheesan, comparing him with the former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Prasanth claimed that Vijayan, during natural disasters, cancelled his events and coordinated the rescue operations.
Satheesan attended various events in Malappuram on Saturday.
Multiple landslides and floods were reported on Saturday, killing several people across Kerala. Meanwhile, Kerala Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh on Sunday 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 the helicopter to visit his ailing father-in-law, who is undergoing treatment in Kochi. It led to the opposition CPI(M) severely criticising the CM’s decision. Satheesan has not yet reacted to these allegations.
