'No shortage of medicines in relief camps; opposition should not use natural disasters for political gain'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Monday said the Health Department is closely monitoring the rain situation in Kerala and taking all necessary measures. He said adequate medicines have been supplied to relief camps across the state. The minister also responded to the controversy over Chief Minister V D Satheesan attending a lunch hosted at Ponnani while Kerala was grappling with severe flooding.

"The Health Department is continuously assessing the situation and taking the required steps. No one will contract leptospirosis due to a shortage of medicines. Relief camps have been supplied with all the medicines they need, and no shortage has been reported from anywhere. As heavy rain continues, the department has issued alerts over the risk of communicable diseases and has made all necessary preparations," Muraleedharan said.

Responding to the criticism against the Chief Minister, the minister said, "Is it wrong for the Chief Minister to have a meal? Such controversies only reflect the opposition's lack of real issues. Natural disasters should not be used for political gain."

He also defended the Chief Minister's helicopter journey, calling the controversy unnecessary.

"A helicopter is meant to be used when required. In this case, it was used for an official purpose. The Chief Minister happened to meet his father-in-law on the way," Muraleedharan said.

The controversy erupted after visuals showed Chief Minister V D Satheesan attending a lunch hosted by Muslim League state vice-president Faisal Bafaqi Thangal at his residence in Ponnani while heavy rains and flooding continued in the state. The opposition alleged that the Chief Minister's participation in the event, instead of coordinating relief operations, sent the wrong message to the public.