'I Think He Has Had a Couple of Drinks'; Video of Chief Minister V D Satheesan’s Remark at Relief Camp Draws Criticism

Thiruvananthapuram: A video showing Chief Minister V D Satheesan making a remark about a person at a relief camp has drawn criticism on social media after he visited people affected by the recent rain-related disasters.

In the video, Satheesan is heard saying, “I think he has had a couple of drinks,” while referring to a person staying at the camp.

The Chief Minister visited the disaster-hit area four days after the calamity struck on July 31. While interacting with those affected, Satheesan is seen asking another person whether the individual was staying at the relief camp. He then makes the remark to those accompanying him.

Meanwhile, criticism has also emerged that the Chief Minister’s visit was merely symbolic. Satheesan arrived near a waterlogged area, where MLA Abin Varkey briefed him about the situation. After briefly looking around, the Chief Minister left the area. The remark was made during his subsequent visit to a relief camp.

Social media users criticised the Chief Minister’s approach towards people staying in relief camps after losing their homes and livelihoods to the disaster. The brief visit also drew criticism, with allegations that he did not spend enough time speaking to the affected people or assessing the facilities available at the camp.

Earlier, criticism had been raised over the Chief Minister’s participation in private programmes and social gatherings while several districts were facing widespread hardship due to heavy rain and flooding. Reports that he had travelled to Kochi on a government helicopter for a private visit without visiting disaster-hit areas had further intensified the criticism.

Reports had also said that the helicopter, which was unable to land in Kochi during its first attempt due to adverse weather, returned to Thiruvananthapuram before flying to Kochi again. Several people questioned the Chief Minister’s priorities during the disaster.

The government has also faced allegations that it failed to take adequate precautionary measures despite an earlier weather warning that Keralam could experience heavy rain, strong winds, landslides and flash floods from July 31.

Against this backdrop, the Chief Minister’s delayed visit and the remark made at the relief camp have triggered further criticism.