Private Flight Controversy
Kerala Chief Minister defends accepting a private chartered flight for flood inspection.
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Key Points
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The state’s proposed replacement helicopter arrangement was described as costing ₹80 lakh per month, a figure Satheesan said the government was negotiating to reduce.
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CPI(M) Central Committee member P. Rajeev accused the United Democratic Front government of surrendering to the influence of “corporates and capitalists” by accepting undisclosed private sponsorship.
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SFI state secretary Sanjeev P.S. argued that accepting a privately sponsored flight could violate the chief minister’s oath of office, even if the arrangement caused no direct loss to the state.
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DYFI alleged that a “benami” sponsor was involved and called for a comprehensive investigation into who financed the Bengaluru-based aircraft.
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Satheesan said he is the only Kerala chief minister to travel to Delhi alone, adding that the DGP, chief secretary and Delhi Police had advised him against doing so for security reasons.
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan defended his September 21 chartered flight from Bengaluru to Kozhikode, saying a friend provided the aircraft at no cost to the state. He flew to inspect flash-flood damage in Malappuram that killed five people. News18 reported that opposition parties are demanding he disclose who sponsored the private plane.
Satheesan argued that private air travel by chief ministers is standard practice and noted the state's police helicopter lease had expired. He said the government would continue accepting private flights when available and is negotiating lower costs for a replacement helicopter arrangement described at ₹80 lakh per month.
Opposition Demands Disclosure of Flight Sponsor
Multiple opposition parties have escalated criticism over the undisclosed sponsor. CPI(M) leader MV Govindan called the trip "unconstitutional" and a violation of Satheesan's oath of office. Manorama reported the aircraft was owned by Kelachandra Aviation, a company with ties to a Karnataka Congress minister's family.
The CPI(M) Central Committee member P. Rajeev accused the United Democratic Front government of surrendering to "corporates and capitalists" by accepting undisclosed private assistance. DYFI alleged a "benami" sponsor was involved and called for a comprehensive investigation into who financed the Bengaluru-based aircraft.
Ethical Questions Around Private Flight Acceptance
Student union leader SFI state secretary Sanjeev P.S. argued that accepting a privately sponsored flight could violate Satheesan's oath of office. This remains true even if the arrangement caused no direct loss to the state budget. Kashmir News Line reported that SFI questioned whether the practice meets constitutional standards.
Asianet News noted that Satheesan defended the decision by citing government austerity efforts. He pointed to ministers' use of older vehicles as proof the government is cutting costs. However, opposition parties argue that cost-saving measures do not justify accepting undisclosed private sponsorship from unknown sources.
Government Defends Emergency Travel Decision
State officials explained that the urgent visit to flood-affected areas required an alternative after the police helicopter lease expired. Satheesan noted he is the only Kerala chief minister to travel to Delhi alone, adding that the DGP, chief secretary and Delhi Police had advised him against solo travel for security reasons.
The government said it was negotiating to reduce the monthly cost of a new helicopter arrangement, originally proposed at ₹80 lakh per month. Satheesan defended continuing to accept private flights when available, arguing the practice is common among chief ministers across India.
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