Kerala floods: Opposition accuses CM Satheesan of mismanagement, private events

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan faced sharp criticism from the Opposition on Sunday over the handling of the ongoing floods in Kerala, as well as his participation in private functions during the crisis. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] state secretariat issued a statement accusing the Chief Minister, who also chairs the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, of delegating responsibilities to ministers instead of taking direct charge.

"The primary duty of an administrator is to protect the lives and property of the people. Not fulfilling that can only be seen as a defiant attitude towards the public," the CPI(M) said. The party pointed out that Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts, which received the most rainfall, had only an orange alert until Saturday morning. "By the time the red alert was announced, many areas were already under water. No steps were taken to relocate people to safer places or evacuate them from danger-prone areas," the statement added.

The CPI(M) also alleged that the Coastal Police arrived 13 hours late to rescue fishermen whose boat capsized near Muthalapozhi in Thiruvananthapuram. In addition, a video shared by Muslim Youth League vice-president Faisal Bafaqui Thangal showed Mr. Satheesan attending a lunch at his house in Ponnani on Saturday. Reports that the Chief Minister used a government-rented helicopter for private purposes also drew criticism.

"The fact that the helicopter rented by the government for disaster relief was used for a private purpose, and that a feast was being held while people were suffering, has led to severe public criticism," the CPI(M) said. The party noted that Mr. Satheesan, while Leader of the Opposition, had earlier criticised the LDF government for renting the helicopter and called it wasteful expenditure.

In response, Congress MLA C. Noushad Ali of Ponnani urged that such issues should not be politicised during a disaster. "Shouldn't the Chief Minister go anywhere or have food during the rainy season? These campaigns against him are politically motivated," he told reporters.

The CPI(M) contrasted Mr. Satheesan's conduct with that of Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan during his tenure as Chief Minister. It said Mr. Vijayan and his office had remained vigilant round-the-clock and coordinated rescue efforts. "When journalists asked Mr. Satheesan about the flood situation on Saturday, he took an indifferent approach and said his office would brief them. During the LDF's tenure, Mr. Vijayan interacted constantly with the press during crises, giving confidence to the people and keeping them alert," the CPI(M) added.

In a separate statement, Mr. Vijayan said the government's negligence and lack of coordination had worsened the people's suffering. "Proper warnings were not issued before the opening of a dam near Ranni. Traders did not even get time to secure goods in their shops. The negligence in relief camps is also worrying. Government agencies have admitted to lapses in food distribution. Volunteers, local people and political activists had to prepare and distribute food due to the lack of coordination by officials," he said, urging the government to examine the lapses and prevent their recurrence.