Kerala opposition leader declines questions on helicopter dispute
Kerala opposition leader V. D. Satheesan declined to answer questions about a helicopter controversy, saying he would not speak that day. He had earlier said the government’s emergency-travel contract with a helicopter company had expired and that his flight to Malappuram had not placed a burden on public funds.
Kerala opposition leader V. D. Satheesan declined to answer questions about a helicopter controversy on Wednesday, according to NDTV.
Satheesan said, “Won’t speak today,” when questioned on the issue. The supplied report does not give the location of the exchange, identify the people asking the questions or explain what prompted his decision not to comment further. He had previously said that the government’s contract with a helicopter company for emergency travel had expired.
Satheesan also maintained that his air journey to Malappuram had not burdened the public exchequer. Those earlier comments form the available explanation of his position on the disputed flight. The supplied material does not state the date of the journey, the purpose of the trip beyond its connection with Malappuram, the cost of the flight or who operated the helicopter.
It also does not include a response from the Kerala government, the helicopter company or critics of the journey. The report gives no further account of the contract, including when it began, when it expired or whether a replacement arrangement was under consideration. Satheesan’s latest response leaves the controversy without a fresh explanation in the available material.
His previous position was that the relevant emergency-travel contract was no longer in force and that the Malappuram flight had not used public funds in a burdensome way.
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