THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A massive political storm has erupted in Kerala following the revelation that the government-sponsored tribute event for superstar Mohanlal, titled ‘Lalsalam‘, incurred a staggering cost of ₹2.84 crore. Leading the charge of criticism is Congress leader VT Balram, who has unleashed a scathing attack on the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, alleging rampant financial mismanagement and a cynical misappropriation of public funds.
Balram took to his social media handle to launch the sharp critique, suggesting that the most profitable business in Kerala today is starting an event management company with CPM backing.
”These benami companies of CPM leaders are writing off crores of rupees without any accountability,” Balram wrote, “and the government is constantly orchestrating one celebration after another—be it in the name of Ayyappa, Amritanandamayi, or the upcoming conclaves—just to facilitate this.” He stressed that the expense for each event isn’t merely a few lakhs but runs into crores, citing the Lalsalam expense as a prime example.
A ‘Pseuedo-Left’ Government and Misplaced Priorities
While acknowledging Mohanlal’s stature as the pride of Malayalam cinema and affirming that a state-level honour is appropriate, Balram vehemently reminded the administration that “every single coin spent, irrespective of the cause, is the taxpayer’s money.”
His strongest criticism was aimed at the source of the funds: the money spent on the Mohanlal event was originally earmarked for providing fellowships to young artists in the state.
To underscore the gravity of the ₹2.84 crore expenditure, the Congress leader offered a powerful comparison:
- Panchayat Plan Fund: The amount is roughly equivalent to the annual plan fund provided by the state government to a medium-sized Panchayat.
- Housing for the Poor: The same amount could have provided housing assistance of ₹4 lakh each to 71 families.
Balram clarified that he wasn’t arguing for the Culture Department’s budget to be diverted to house construction, but rather using the comparisons to illustrate the enormous scale of the waste.
He lamented that had the total expense been capped at approximately ₹50 lakh, the remaining funds could have provided fellowships of ₹1-2 lakh each to nearly two hundred young artists across Kerala, benefiting numerous ordinary individuals in the cultural sector.
The Political Allegation: PR for a Third Term
Concluding his broadside, Balram dismissed the current administration as a “pseudo-left” government. He argued that a genuine Left government would have been capable of internalizing such constructive criticism.
However, he asserted that in the current political climate—where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is allegedly targeting a third term through endorsement from “celebrities to caste leaders”—one should expect nothing more than such wasteful PR campaigns and multi-crore extravaganzas.
The controversy is expected to escalate, placing the government’s spending and financial transparency under intense public and political scrutiny.
