CM Satheesan defends K.M. Shaji over Range Rover row, says no issue in using friend’s vehicle

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday defended Local Self-Government Minister K.M. Shaji over his use of a friend’s Range Rover for official travel, saying there was nothing wrong with ministers using vehicles arranged by friends.

Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Satheesan said Shaji had used the privately owned vehicle after encountering problems with his government-allotted car, which was purchased in 2017. He said ministers and chief ministers had used privately arranged transport in the past and defended such arrangements where they reduced pressure on the state exchequer.

The controversy erupted after Shaji, an Indian Union Muslim League leader, was seen using a Range Rover owned by a friend in place of the Innova Crysta allotted to him by the government. The private vehicle had also carried the official registration designation allotted to the minister.

Shaji has said his official vehicle had travelled nearly 400,000 km and was not suitable for long-distance journeys, prompting him to rely on his friend’s SUV. He said he would not claim rent, fuel expenses or travel costs from the government for using the vehicle.

The minister later said he had occasionally used the Range Rover for several years, including before taking office, and maintained that he had followed the required procedures. He also challenged critics to establish whether the vehicle’s owner or any of his friends had received undue benefits from the government because of their relationship with him.

The opposition LDF has questioned the propriety of the arrangement. Former minister K.T. Jaleel argued that accepting the use of a luxury vehicle from a private individual could raise ethical concerns, while other opposition figures have sought clarification over the use of official insignia on a privately owned vehicle.

Reports have also raised questions over the extent of official permission for Shaji’s use of the vehicle. Kerala Kaumudi reported on Tuesday that the General Administration Department had not granted broad permission for its use and that approval had been given for a specific journey, a claim that differs from Shaji’s account that the necessary permissions had been obtained.

The Range Rover was subsequently returned to its owner amid the controversy. Shaji has maintained that using a friend’s vehicle was not improper as long as the required procedures were followed.