‘This approach does not befit office; V D Satheesan should emulate Pinarayi Vijayan’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former minister V Sivankutty has strongly criticized Chief Minister V D Satheesan for attending a feast hosted by a Youth League leader while people across the state were struggling with rain-related disasters. In a Facebook post, Sivankutty said that when the state is facing a disaster, the chief minister's failure to lead relief efforts amounts to abandoning his responsibilities and is a challenge to the people.

He said that, as the head of the state disaster management authority, the chief minister should be leading disaster relief operations. Instead, he alleged that Satheesan neglected his official duties and instead attended a feast at the residence of a Youth League leader in Ponnani.

‘When people across the state are in fear and despair, the chief minister's decision to attend lavish feasts is akin to Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned. Prioritizing personal engagements over public responsibilities is unbecoming of the office. A true administrator should postpone other engagements and personally oversee disaster management operations,’ said Sivankutty.

He added that Kerala had witnessed the leadership of former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the two major floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, when he led the state from the front and instilled confidence among the people. Sivankutty said V D Satheesan should emulate Pinarayi Vijayan's determination and leadership in governance. Earlier, former minister and CPM leader M M Mani had also criticized Satheesan, comparing his actions to Emperor Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned.