CPM leaders denounce Kerala chief minister's social visit amid severe rain crisis

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders publicly rebuked Kerala chief minister V D Satheesan for visiting a Youth League leader's residence in Ponnani while heavy rains caused floods and landslides across multiple districts, resulting in several deaths. Rajya Sabha MP A Rahim posted videos of the event, labeling the timing as ill-judged and demanding that Satheesan devote his full attention to disaster management as chair of the State Disaster Management Authority.

Former MLA V K Prasanth contrasted Satheesan's actions with those of former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who reportedly cancelled personal engagements during crises. Senior CPM figure V Sivankutty likened the chief minister's behavior to “Nero fiddling while Rome burned” and accused him of misusing a government helicopter for non-emergency trips between Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. Kerala Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh defended the CM, saying the focus should remain on relief efforts, while Health Minister K Muraleedharan justified helicopter use in emergencies. Satheesan has not yet responded to the allegations.