Kasaragod: The BharatBenz model bus acquired for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other state ministers as part of "Nava Kerala Sadas" arrived in Kasaragod in the wee hours of Saturday, amid much criticism. 

As per latest reports, the bus left Benz's showroom in Lalbagh Road, Bangalore, on Friday night and reached the district police headquarters here at 4 a.m. 

The black-colour model bus has artwork depicting numerous Kerala festivities and celebrations on body. Manufactured by S.M. Kannappa Automobiles in Bengaluru, the body of the bus also bears the tagline "God's own country."--the tagline of Kerala Tourism.

The 25-seater bus includes a specially constructed space for the Chief Minister, bio-toilet, refrigerator and other amenities. Besides, a specifically designed seat close to the driver's seat allows the Chief Minister to meet the public. The government also issued an order to put up a 180-degree rotating chair inside the bus for the Chief Minister. 

"Nava Kerala Sadas" is the outreach programme of the government, where the chief minister and ministers will be travelling through all assembly constituencies of the state. The criticism of the opposition parties is over the cost of the bus. Rs 1.05 crore has been spent on the Benz bus to convert it into a caravan, the Opposition has alleged