BJP urges Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan to refrain from using public funds for private foreign visits

It was reported that the chief minister and his family would visit some eastern and middle-eastern countries during his over two-week-long tour.

ByPTI

Published May 06, 2024 | 9:55 PMUpdatedMay 06, 2024 | 9:55 PM

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s reported journey to various foreign destinations has come under scrutiny from the BJP, with the saffron party urging him on Monday, 6 May, not to spend public funds on private visits.

The BJP’s statement came amidst media reports that Vijayan, along with his close family members, departed for a foreign tour from the international airport in Kochi in the early hours of Monday.

Neither the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) nor his party, CPI(M), have responded to the reports regarding Vijayan’s foreign tour, despite repeated inquiries.

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‘Overseas travel common practice for CM’

It was reported that the chief minister and his family would visit some eastern and middle-eastern countries during his over two-week-long tour.

BJP state chief K Surendran stated that if it is a private trip, Vijayan should use his own funds.

“The public treasury should only be utilised when administrators travel abroad for the state’s requirements,” he said in a statement.

He further noted that it was a common practice for the Kerala CM to travel abroad with his family members.

The BJP state chief also asked CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan if he had any details regarding Vijayan’s latest foreign trip.

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