More UDF Ministers Under Scrutiny Over Foreign Trips

Thiruvananthapuram: Another foreign trip by a minister has triggered controversy over the overseas visits of UDF ministers. Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor's visit to Abu Dhabi has now come under scrutiny. The minister travelled to Abu Dhabi to attend a private event, reportedly a wedding function. Deputy Speaker Shanimol Usman is also currently on a foreign trip, having travelled to Bahrain to attend Onam celebrations as well as programmes organised by Congress and Muslim League organisations. The latest trips have drawn criticism as flood victims and fishermen are struggling without even receiving immediate financial assistance. Since the V D Satheesan ministry assumed office on May 18, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Tourism Minister P C Vishnunath, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister O J Janish and Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji have already travelled abroad. Ramesh Chennithala travelled with his family to Chicago in the United States. Chennithala said he went to attend the wedding of a friend's son. After reaching the US, he also participated in programmes organised by expatriate Malayali organisations and Onam celebrations. He said the trip was not funded by the government and that the organisers covered the expenses. P C Vishnunath's visit to the UAE was official. The minister reportedly represented the Kerala Tourism Department at Arabian Travel Market 2026, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from September 14 to 17. O J Janish visited Muscat and Qatar with his family. He said he attended a programme organised by the Gurudharma Pracharana Sabha in Muscat and an event organised by the Thrissur District Friendship Forum in Qatar. The minister said the respective organisations bore the expenses and that no government funds were spent on the trips. When the visit triggered controversy, Janish said he was 37 years old and would not follow an old-fashioned mindset. Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji is currently on a family trip to Europe. There is no information on who is bearing the expenses of the trip. The visit comes amid the controversy over his use of a friend's Range Rover as an official vehicle. The foreign trips of the Fisheries Minister and Deputy Speaker have now also come to light. Against the backdrop of these overseas visits, demands have been raised for greater clarity on the nature of the trips, who is bearing the expenses and the hospitality extended by private organisers. However, apart from defending the trips, no response has been given on how the expenses are being covered.