Kerala Chief Minister Defends Use of Private Chartered Flights

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan defended his use of a privately sponsored chartered flight on September 21, 2026, for a trip from Bengaluru to Kozhikode to visit flood-affected Malappuram. During a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Satheesan asserted that no public funds were used for the journey, as the aircraft was provided by a friend. He further justified foreign trips for cabinet ministers funded by expatriate organizations and the use of a luxury vehicle by Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji.

Satheesan argued that such travel is common among state leaders and stated he would continue to use private flights if offered in the future. He contrasted these arrangements with the government's austerity measures, noting that ministers typically use decade-old vehicles. He also confirmed that the state's rented helicopter contract has ended, with the government currently negotiating to reduce rental costs despite requests from emergency agencies to maintain the service.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemned the practice, with State Secretary MV Govindan calling the conduct unconstitutional and a violation of the oath of office. Govindan demanded transparency regarding the identities of the sponsors and their potential business interests. In response, Health Minister K Muralidharan defended the arrangements, noting the aircraft provider is the same company that previously provided helicopters for former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Muralidharan stated that the government has no excessive commitments to sponsors and that the identity of the sponsor would eventually be disclosed.