Cong, BJP slam Kerala CM Vijayan’s foreign trip amid financial crisis

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's scheduled eight-day foreign visits, including the US and Cuba, has resulted in criticism from opposition parties, who slammed the CM’s decision to travel amid the financial crisis that the state is currently facing.

Both parties expressed their concern about the meeting and that it will be a financial burden, as the state is meeting the expenses of Vijayan and others who take part in the official delegation.

Both the Congress and the BJP called out the travel plan that will begin on Thursday.

Vijayan and his entourage's US trip came under a cloud over news that in New York when Vijayan inaugurates the regional meet of the Loka Kerala Sabha- a diaspora meet, those who wish to have to share the dais and dine with him, will have to shell out US $ 50,000 and upwards.

Meanwhile, the Vice-chairman of Norka (state agency for the diaspora) and a key organiser of the US diaspora meet- P.Sreeramakrishnan who, along with a top bureaucrat who arrived in New York the other day, told the media there that everything is in order and the meeting will be a success.

Both the Congress and the BJP have slammed the meeting as it will add to the burden of the cash-strapped Kerala coffers, as the state is meeting the expenses of Vijayan and others who form part of the official delegation.

The three-day diaspora event begins in New York from June 9-11 and after that, he moves on to Cuba and will be there for a few days and then returns to Kerala.

Now all eyes are on the success of the meeting in the wake of a controversy over a Communist leader participating in a meeting where people are being charged.

IANS Input