BJP leader V. Muraleedharan has raised significant concerns regarding the Kerala government’s use of public funds to hire public relations agencies, asserting that the move aims to create a misleading narrative about the state’s performance compared to the rest of the world.
In a press conference, Muraleedharan stated, “The Kerala CM has deployed a PR agency to create an impression among people that Kerala is doing far better than the rest of the world. This is not related to the factual position.” He questioned the need for external agencies when the state already has a public relations department staffed with professionals on government payroll.
“Where does this money come from? Is this money coming from the public exchequer?” he asked, highlighting the apparent contradiction between the government’s claims of financial constraints and its spending on public relations. Muraleedharan noted, “A government which says that we do not have money to give pensions to the poor is spending crores on PR agencies.”
He called on the Kerala government to disclose the total amount spent on these PR agencies over the past eight years, urging transparency in financial dealings. Furthermore, Muraleedharan demanded accountability regarding allegations of corruption linked to the Chief Minister’s office. “Will he (Kerala CM) release the names of persons who have been taken into custody who were involved in hawala transactions? There is an allegation that CM’s office is giving protection to those involved in the incident,” he added.
Muraleedharan’s statements come amidst ongoing scrutiny of the Kerala government’s fiscal policies and management. As the political landscape continues to evolve, these allegations have sparked debate about governance, transparency, and the effective use of public resources in the state. The BJP leader’s comments aim to hold the Kerala government accountable while challenging the narratives being promoted through public relations efforts.
