Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant political development, ministers of the Kerala government led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan have withdrawn from Reporter TV’s flagship event, “Cabinet Onam Special.”
The high-profile event, managed by popular media figure Dr. Arun Kumar, was scheduled to be shot at Hyatt Regency, Thiruvananthapuram on 13 th August, immediately following a scheduled state Cabinet meeting.
The unexpected boycott was triggered by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan taking an uncompromising, strict position. The Chief Minister directed his cabinet members not to attend functions organized by Reporter TV, citing serious allegations against its management head, Anto Augustine. Augustine is currently facing allegations of GST fraud related to an initiative involving bringing football legend Lionel Messi to Kerala, as well as multiple legal cases including a high-profile tree-felling scam. Following the Chief Minister’s firm directive, all state ministers unanimously agreed to pull out of the event.
Political observers view this move as a severe blow to Reporter TV’s and Dr. Arun Kumar’s event diplomacy, frustrating the channel management’s attempt to build close ties with the state government to gain leverage over ongoing criminal and financial cases.
