Kerala CM Satheesan Defends Chopper Use Amid Flood Criticism

Chief Minister V D Satheesan has defended his use of a government-leased helicopter during the state’s flood crisis, rejecting the Left Democratic Front’s allegations that the journey reflected misplaced priorities. Satheesan said the trip was entirely official and undertaken to hold discussions with investors who had limited time available. He maintained that he had initially reserved a seat on a Vande Bharat train but switched to the helicopter because of the scheduling constraints surrounding the meeting.

Satheesan also argued that his journey did not impose any additional financial burden on the state government. According to him, the helicopter had been leased by the previous LDF administration for ₹80 lakh per month under an agreement continuing until September 2027. The contract reportedly required a minimum amount of flying time, meaning the government would have paid the agreed lease amount regardless of whether he used the aircraft. He said the trip was conducted at the rates fixed by the former government and did not result in any extra expenditure.

The Chief Minister said the helicopter had been used sparingly since his government assumed office, including for his official visit to Wayanad and journeys undertaken by two ministers. He denied using it to attend party conferences or for any private purpose. The LDF, however, accused Satheesan of displaying inconsistency because he had criticised former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s helicopter travel while serving in the Opposition. Senior CPM leader P Rajeev said governing carried responsibilities different from commenting from outside and questioned the details of the investor meeting.

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CPM leader M B Rajesh separately alleged that Satheesan had failed to give sufficient attention to monitoring the flood situation and coordinating relief operations. He claimed the Chief Minister attended several private and commercial functions, including inaugurations, while Kerala was dealing with severe flooding. Satheesan rejected the allegations as a politically motivated smear campaign and maintained that his official responsibilities and disaster-response duties had not been neglected.

Satheesan also responded to criticism over having lunch at a friend’s home during a flood-review visit to Ponnani. He said he reached the area at approximately 3 pm and stopped only for a meal, not for a felicitation programme. Questioning the criticism, he asked whether eating during an official tour could reasonably be treated as wrongdoing. Referring to Kerala’s devastating floods in 2018 and 2019, he also asked whether the chief minister at the time had remained without food throughout the disaster response.

Also Read: Kerala CM Refers Vijayan's Case Withdrawal Demand to Home Department