Kerala Congress chief K. Sudhakaran and Opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan are on opposite sides again, this time over making contributions to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) for rehabilitating Wayanad landslide victims.
While Satheeshan has been strongly backing the fundraising campaign, Sudharakan questioned donating to funds managed by the CPI(M)-led government. Sudhakaran criticised former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala’s decision to contribute a month’s salary to CMDRF while the party itself is running a fundraising campaign for Wayanad landslide victims.
Sudhakaran, known for his contempt against the CPI(M) expressed displeasure over Chennithala's decision. Sudhakaran said there was no need to give money to the funds managed by the CPI(M)-led Left government. "There was no directive (from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee) to contribute to the government's fund (CMDRF). The fundraising campaign is being conducted by various forums of the party itself and Chennithala could have contributed to it," he said addressing presspersons in Kerala.
Former Kerala opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala announced through social media on Saturday that he will be contributing his one month’s salary to CMDRF.
The Kerala Congress chief’s comments come amidst online smear campaigns discouraging people from sending funds to the CMDRF. However, Satheeshan denied Sudhakaran’s comments and said everyone should contribute to CMDRF. He added the Congress party will construct 100 houses to rehabilitate victims. Satheeshan said the government should ensure transparency in handling Wayanad relief funds.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Sashi Tharoor reached Wayanad on Saturday and distributed relief materials collected from his constituency.
