CPI(M) Accuses Kerala CM Satheesan of FCRA Violation; Questions UDF Government's Clean Chit

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Thursday raised objections to the United Democratic Front (UDF) government's decision to drop charges against Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan in connection with alleged solicitation of foreign funds for flood relief in 2019. The party claims the action violates the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

At a press conference, CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan aired a video clip showing Mr. Satheesan, then the Leader of the Opposition, appealing for 500 pounds per delegate at a conference organized by the Manappat Foundation. The funds were intended for repairing houses and providing sewing machines to families displaced by the 2018 floods in his constituency in Paravoor, Ernakulam district, under Project Punarjani.

Mr. Govindan stated that the FCRA explicitly prohibits government servants, judicial officers, political parties, MLAs, MPs, and holders of public office from soliciting foreign funds. He argued that any infringement constitutes a clear violation of the law. He further alleged that Mr. Satheesan did not seek permission from the Kerala Legislative Assembly Secretariat or the Union government to travel to England for fund collection from foreign individuals and entities.

In contrast, Mr. Govindan noted that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Cabinet had sought the Centre's permission for ministers to collect flood relief funds from the Keralite diaspora, but that the Centre denied such permission. He also highlighted that the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), under the previous LDF government, had in 2025 identified FCRA violations, including the lack of registration or prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. The agency had noted that the violations were a central subject and that the CBI did not require state consent to prosecute, but the Centre did not initiate any investigation against Mr. Satheesan.

Mr. Govindan criticized Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala's decision to give a clean chit to Mr. Satheesan, calling it hasty and at odds with the Vigilance manual and government procedure. He claimed that the Vigilance report was not published and that due process was circumvented. He also pointed out the irony that the clean chit came a day after Mr. Chennithala launched a 'zero tolerance' programme against corruption in the company of movie stars and celebrities.

The CPI(M) has called for an impartial investigation into the matter, emphasizing that the allegations involve a serious violation of the FCRA and that the UDF government's actions raise questions about accountability.