Thiruvananthapuram, 21 September (H.S.): Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph has defended Minister K.M. Shaji amid controversy over his use of a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend, describing the criticism as a petty allegation.

Joseph said the use of the Range Rover should be viewed as a matter of convenience rather than a free benefit. He argued that Shaji had, in fact, saved public money by not using an official vehicle, which would have required government spending on fuel, repairs, tyres and a driver.

The minister also rejected allegations over the foreign trips undertaken by members of the government. He said none of the ministers had travelled abroad at the government's expense. Trips to Gulf countries were not particularly expensive, he added.

According to Joseph, Ramesh Chennithala was the only leader who travelled to the United States and returned within a week. The visit was important and was undertaken to attend the wedding of a Congress leader's daughter. It was not funded by the government, he clarified.

Defending Shaji's travel, Joseph said a tourism minister should visit Dubai when invited for events such as Onam celebrations. Ministers needed to travel, interact with people and gain wider experience, while comfortable vehicles were necessary for long-distance journeys, he said.

Shaji returned the Range Rover after the controversy erupted. He later explained that he had been using the vehicle occasionally for several years, including during the five years when he held no official position.

In a Facebook post, Shaji said friends willing to lend vehicles could do so after the necessary permissions were obtained. He urged the media and the public to examine whether any of his friends had received undue benefits from the government because of their association with him.

Shaji said he should be strongly questioned if he was ever found extending improper favours to friends who provided him with food, accommodation or vehicles.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman