Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan’s private flight from Tiruvananthapuram to Malappuram on September 21 has triggered a controversy in the state, with questions being raised over transparency and accountability in the travel arrangements. People and observers wonder how he could undertake such a trip despite his continuous onslaught against the previous CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government headed by Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with similar controversies.
Speaking to the media on September 23, the Chief Minister justified his air travel. The CM told that he did not have to disclose the name of the sponsor of the flight. He said that he would make similar trips in the future also. He said that the sponsor was a Malayali and asked what was wrong with it.
He asked the media persons why they make it a big issue if ministers go abroad for a couple of days. He claimed that there are around a thousand Malayali organisations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which consists of Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. He added that he had visited Gulf countries several times when he was the Leader of the Opposition. But he had not charged the government for those trips.
Justifying his chartered flight to Malappuram, the Chief Minister said there was no need to spend money from the state exchequer for such trips to sites of calamities. He said taxpayers’ money was not for spending on the Chief Minister’s air travel.
The CM further said that former Chief Ministers Pinarayi Vijayan (CPM) and Oommen Chandy (Congress), and other CMs of the country, had travelled in private aircraft.
Criticising the former LDF government, the Chief Minister said that he had a list of people who travelled in the same manner, but he would not disclose it.
The CM also used the opportunity to defend Local Self Government Department Minister K.M. Shaji’s use of his friend’s luxury vehicle. He said there was nothing wrong with it. The car allotted to the Indian Union Muslim League leader was ten years old.
BJP national secretary K. Surendran demanded that the Chief Minister name the individuals or entities funding the private flight. He questioned whether the sponsorship involved any “expectation of reciprocal favours” or ties to a tainted background.
CPM leader P. Rajeev criticised the lack of transparency regarding the travel arrangements. He was referring to the Chief Minister’s reluctance to disclose the name of the sponsor of the aircraft.
The CM not ready to disclose the sponsor of his flight; he will travel so in the future also if it is necessary.
Critics argue that transparency and accountability are the fuel of good governance. When voters sense their absence, they will settle the account at the ballot box.
