Chief Minister declined to name the individual who provided the plane, maintaining that the flight was arranged by a Malayali acquaintance.
The Democratic Youth Federation of India has launched a public sketching competition across block centres in Keralam to protest against Chief Minister V D Satheesan over his refusal to reveal the identity of a private sponsor who funded his recent chartered flight. The youth wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) arranged the demonstration following growing political controversy surrounding the flight.
Protest over undisclosed aircraft sponsor
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The political row erupted after the Chief Minister travelled on a private chartered aircraft to Karipur airport in rain-affected Malappuram district, where six people died during severe weather. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, following a cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister declined to name the individual who provided the plane, maintaining that the flight was arranged by a Malayali acquaintance and involved no public money or funds from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. He added that former chief ministers, including Pinarayi Vijayan and Oommen Chandy, had similarly used privately arranged aircraft during emergencies without revealing sponsor details.
Opposition leaders intensified their criticism of the Congress-led Democratic Front administration. Senior CPM figures alleged that undisclosed financial interests were sponsoring official movements, describing the state administration as a corporate-driven government. Further scrutiny arose over overseas visits by state ministers and the use of a luxury vehicle by Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji, which the government defended by citing the poor mechanical condition of official vehicles.
Prize picks mocking power cuts
In response, the youth organisation invited members of the public to draw sketches depicting the unidentified sponsors of the Chief Minister. Organisers selected emergency lights as the main competition prize, whilst offering candles to all participants as a secondary gift. The choice of awards took aim at local electricity shortages across the state, referencing recent criticism regarding power cuts whilst government figures undertook private travel
Published: 24 Sept 2026, 09:01 am IST
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