Kerala govt delegation led by CM Pinarayi Vijayan leaves on 8-day US, Cuba trip

PTI, Jun 8, 2023, 11:27 AM IST

A Kerala government delegation led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for an eight-day trip to the United States of America and Cuba on Thursday morning.

The delegation, also comprising Speaker A N Shamseer and State Finance Minister K N Balagopal, would be attending various events, including the American Regional Conference of the Loka Kerala Sabha which was marred by controversy after allegations cropped up that money was being charged from expatriates to stand or sit close to Vijayan during the three-day programme.

The opposition Congress had contended that it was “embarrassing” for the state that amounts ranging from USD 25,000 to USD 100,000 was being charged as part of the “offer” to sit or stand close to the Kerala Chief Minister during the Loka Kerala Sabha, a Non-resident Keralites convention. which will be held in New York on June 9, 10 and 11.