Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Cuts Short Private Trip, Returns Amid Controversy

In the midst of the controversy surrounding his private trip to three nations, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family returned to Kerala in the early hours of Saturday, ending their tour abruptly. The uproar over the trip sparked as there was no official notification about his departure, which began on May 6.

Vijayan was initially anticipated to return on May 20. However, officials told The Hindu that the escalation of pre-monsoon showers in Kerala, along with concerns about outbreaks of infectious diseases and the looming threat of landslides and flooding, may have prompted him to cut short his vacation.

Similar to his undeclared departure, Chief Minister Vijayan's return to the country was also shrouded in secrecy.

Initial reports suggested he would arrive at Kochi airport, but he landed at Thiruvananthapuram airport instead. As usual, he left without providing the waiting media an opportunity to approach him, as per a report on IANS.

In an unusual breach of protocol, no officials were present to greet him at the airport, with only his personal security guards in attendance.

The Congress and the BJP criticized CM Vijayan for his "secretive trip" with Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan taking the strongest stance. Satheesan remarked that CM Vijayan appeared to be afraid of PM Modi, as despite the CPI(M) being part of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, he chose to leave rather than participate in election campaigning.

Satheesan pointed out that Vijayan's absence was notable, particularly since he was the only CPI(M) chief minister in the country.

Even Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan weighed in on the controversy, expressing gratitude to the media for informing him about CM Vijayan's overseas tour.

During the trip, CM Vijayan was joined by his wife, grandson, daughter Veena, her husband State Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas.