Alappuzha: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and MP, KC Venugopal, on Sunday (October 5, 2025) criticised the Kerala government, alleging that it turned the felicitation ceremony for actor Mohanlal—recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award—into a politically motivated spectacle.

Speaking to reporters in Alappuzha, Venugopal said that while the Congress deeply respects Mohanlal as an artist who holds a special place in the hearts of Malayalis, the event organised by the State government was clearly driven by “political motives rather than genuine appreciation.”

“The organisers should have thought twice before using an artist of Mohanlal’s stature for narrow political interests,” Venugopal remarked, suggesting that the government intended to capitalise on public admiration for the veteran actor to bolster its image.

He further said that the State’s leadership has been relying on publicity-oriented events to deflect attention from public dissatisfaction and mounting administrative controversies. “Unfortunately, such a celebrated occasion was turned into a PR exercise,” he said.

According to Venugopal, the ruling front has been repeatedly resorting to “diversionary tactics” to shift focus from issues such as the Sabarimala disputes.

He pointed out that the government’s recent actions have only deepened mistrust among the people.

“The controversy around Mohanlal’s felicitation could easily have been avoided. But instead of learning from past mistakes, the government seems determined to repeat them,” he stated.

Venugopal also criticised the alleged misuse of public funds in the conduct of religious events, accusing the administration of violating court orders.
Referring to the Kerala High Court’s directive against using public money for the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, he said, “Despite the court’s clear stand, the government sanctioned ₹8.22 crore and transferred it through the devaswom board to a cooperative society.”

He accused the government of deliberately keeping the Sabarimala issue alive for political reasons. “It is evident that their goal is not resolution but controversy,” Venugopal said, concluding that the State’s repeated disregard for judicial directions exposes its desperation to manage its declining public image.