Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) leaders 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, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP A A Rahim 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.
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.
Former MLA V K Prasanth shared the videos on his social media account and criticised Satheesan, comparing him with the ex-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.
Senior CPI(M) leader and former Education Minister V Sivankutty, in a press conference, said that the chief minister's participation in a private function while people across the state were facing distress was akin to "Nero fiddling while Rome burned."
Drawing a comparison with the previous LDF government, Sivankutty said, "Kerala has seen how Vijayan led the state from the front during the two major floods and the Covid-19 pandemic. Satheesan should emulate that approach."
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 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.
Health Minister K Muraleedharan said that his father, K Karunakaran, was the one to travel the most by helicopter.
He said that a helicopter is used in times of urgency to reach a location much faster than by rail or road and therefore, there was nothing wrong with it.
"We have not criticised the use of helicopter by Vijayan," he added.
Satheesan has not yet reacted to these allegations.