Kerala CM Satheesan Defends Private Flight 'No Public Money Used'

Strongly defending his travel on a private aircraft, Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Wednesday clarified that not a single paisa from public funds was spent on the trip, asserting that he would continue to use private flights if offered by well-wishers in the future. The clarification follows criticism after Satheesan took a chartered flight on Monday, September 21, 2026, travelling from Bengaluru to Kozhikode to visit Malappuram, where a devastating flash flood claimed the lives of five people.

Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram,



Chief Minister Satheesan stated that it is common practice across the country for Chief Ministers to travel by private aircraft when required. "Almost every Chief Minister from every state has travelled on private flights, including Pinarayi Vijayan. Only a few important people have private flights, and it is not fair to accuse these people. Not a single paisa from public money was spent on my private flight travel. A friend offered me this travel and there is no need to spend lakhs when another means is available. I will travel on private flights in the future as well," Satheesan said.