Keralam CM refuses to divulge details of individual who sponsored private flight, defends ministers’ foreign trips, Shaji’s use of friend’s car

Chief Minister VD Satheesan | Photo credit: THE HINDU

Amid the raging controversy over Chief Minister VD Satheesan’s alleged lack of transparency in hiring a private plane to travel to flood-affected areas in Malappuram, the Chief Minister on Monday refused to divulge details of the person who sponsored the trip.

Also Read: ‘Freebie’ row over Satheesan chartered flight to flood-hit Malappuram heats up Kerala politics

Responding to questions at a press conference after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, he said that “there was nothing wrong with the trip because not a penny was spent from the national treasury.

“I will continue in years like this if needed,” he said.

“The agreement with the helicopter company expired on September 19. After attending the Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi event in Sivagiri, I had to reach Malappuram immediately as six people died in the disaster. If I didn’t go, it would have been news. Since I couldn’t get there quickly, one of my acquaintances arranged a plane for me.” What is wrong with that?” asked Mr Satheesan.

Also Read: UDF convener dares VD Satheesan to reveal name of ‘anonymous patron’ who sponsored his charter flight

When asked about the identity of the person who provided the plane, he said that chief ministers across the country, as well as former chief ministers Pinarayi Vijayan and Oommen Chandy, traveled in privately owned planes but never disclosed such details. “Why drag the names of these people? In this case, he was a Keralite,” the chief minister said without revealing the identity.

Mr Satheesan also defended the use of his friend’s car for official purposes by Local Government Minister KM Shaji.

“Mr Shaji was using an official car which was ten years old. Since it broke down frequently, he decided to use his friend’s car. Permission was granted. Ex-ministers also used to travel in private cars similarly. There is nothing wrong with that,” he said.

In recent weeks, the chief minister also defended the foreign trips of the ministers, saying that they did not cost the state treasury. He denied accusations of possible kickbacks in the money elite, which handed out foreign trips to ministers.

“When such foreign travel requests are made, the government looks at whether it costs the exchequer. We have a large diaspora around the world, especially in the Gulf countries. There are over 1,000 Keralite organizations in the UAE, which invite ministers for various events. Some trips are sponsored by organizations or friends. I have given them permission to travel around the world. permission for ministers to travel abroad,” he said.

Published – 23 Sep 2026 14:02 IST