Satheeshan’s CMDRF Claim Backfires as Sudhakaran Video Surfaces

Thiruvananthapuram: V D Satheeshan’s recent claim that Congress never instructed party workers against contributing to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) has come under scrutiny. Video clips have emerged showing former KPCC president K Sudhakaran advising Congress MLAs not to contribute. The directive came after Haripad MLA Ramesh Chennithala decided to donate, with Sudhakaran arguing that the party’s own organisational resources should manage relief efforts rather than handing money to left parties.

Meanwhile, the LDF-led government’s rehabilitation programme for landslide victims in Mundakkai and Chooralmala has made significant progress. Roofing for the 300th house in the township project in central Kalpetta has been completed. Of these, 283 houses are fully constructed, 17 houses with elevated pillars are ready for roofing, and 13 houses await final painting. Over 1,500 labourers have worked daily from 6 am to 10 pm. The government plans to hand over homes to beneficiaries by February, demonstrating a commitment to timely disaster rehabilitation.

UDF: A Saga of Discrepancies and Fund Mismanagement

In contrast, Congress’s response has been largely limited to announcements rather than action. Following the July 30, 2024 landslide, the party pledged over 100 houses, with the Youth Congress promising 30 more. Rahul Gandhi launched a fundraising app in early September 2024, but it was deactivated soon after collection. Over a year and a half later, only land acquisition in Wayanad has been completed.

The land acquired by Congress for the Mundakkai–Chooralmala victims spans 3.24 acres in Kunnanpatti, Kottappadi village, Meppadi Panchayat, registered under KPCC President Sunny Joseph and part of a private coffee plantation, ‘Vijay Estate’. The area is not a designated residential zone and is prone to elephant activity; electric fencing is in place. Locals report waterlogging during rains near a check dam, and one acre of red soil is unsuitable for construction. The plot could accommodate at most 25 houses.

The controversy centres on a Youth Congress fundraising drive announced after the disaster. The leadership pledged Rs 2.80 crore to construct 30 houses, with state-level instructions to collect Rs 2 lakh from each assembly constituency. Donations were made by several individuals, but house construction was abandoned midway, and no financial disclosures were provided. It is alleged that Rs 88 lakh was raised but misused for personal purposes. Legal action is now sought, with the complaint naming Youth Congress leaders including Rahul Mamkootathil, Abin Varghese, Arita Babu, T Anuthaj, Vaishakh S Darshan, Vishnu Sunil, V K Shibin, and O K Janish.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has also faced controversy over its Mundakkai township project. Meppadi Grama Panchayat issued a notice to state president Panakkad Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal for alleged building regulation violations. Authorities claim “self-certified permits” were used before formal approvals, with plantation land illegally converted for housing. The League spent over 12 crore rupees on land and raised 40 crore for a project intended for 105 victims, though only 87 families are listed as beneficiaries.

While the LDF government demonstrates steady rehabilitation progress, Congress and IUML face criticism for failing to deliver on promises, highlighting stark differences in accountability and efficiency in disaster response.