The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Malappuram district secretariat has asked the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) to clarify its stand on Local Self-Government Minister K.M. Shaji’s reported trip to the Czech Republic with a liquor businessman.
In a statement here on Wednesday, the CPI(M) questioned the circumstances of the Minister’s European tour and demanded that he disclose who sponsored the trip.
The party said reports indicated that Mr. Shaji had permission to visit Austria, Bulgaria, and Switzerland, but had also travelled to Prague, the Czech capital, without informing the Union or State government.
It also referred to photographs reportedly showing the Minister with a liquor businessman and a person accused in a job fraud case, asking whether the IUML approved of his accepting their hospitality.
The CPI(M) recalled an earlier controversy over Mr. Shaji’s use of a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend as his official vehicle. He had to return it after questions were raised about the legality of its use, the statement said.
The party asked the IUML to explain whether it endorsed the Minister’s conduct. It also questioned Mr. Shaji’s public statements on religious issues in the context of his reported association with a liquor businessman.
The CPI(M) said the circumstances of the trip required clarification and called for transparency in Ministers’ acceptance of sponsored travel.
Published – October 15, 2026 07:00 am IST
