Thrissur: A controversy has surfaced over the absence of media representatives at an event in Thrissur attended by Union Minister Suresh Gopi as the chief guest. The programme, titled “A Dialogue with Union Minister Suresh Gopi on the Development of Thrissur”, was organised by the Thrissur Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

Invitations for the event were shared with journalists both by the Chamber of Commerce and through the Minister’s official WhatsApp group, Suresh Gopi Media.

Following this, journalists arrived at the Chamber Hall around 10 am. However, organisers informed them that Suresh Gopi had instructed that the media should not be allowed to attend the event.

Later, members of the Suresh Gopi Media group clarified that it was the Chamber’s decision not to allow media participation, and that the Union Minister was informed of this only at the last moment. Meanwhile, Chamber representatives stated that they had acted based on a message conveyed by people associated with the Minister.

Responding to the matter, Suresh Gopi said that the event had not been intended for media coverage but was meant to be an open interaction with the Chamber members. He added that the decision to exclude journalists had been made earlier and that the organisers had informed him of it beforehand.