V.D. Satheesan
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT
Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday (February 10, 2026) claimed that the Congress took only four months to acquire land for building houses for the Wayanad’s Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide victims, while the State government took a year for the same purpose.
Mr. Satheesan said the party initially had no plans to acquire land, as it was to be provided by the State government, to build 100 houses. “However, the State government, at the last moment, informed us of its unwillingness to do so, and therefore we had to acquire land on our own,” he claimed while speaking to reporters in Wayanad.
He further said the party had acquired around 3.5 acres of land and was in the process of completing the registration of another parcel of land nearby. “Once that is completed, we will hold the foundation stone-laying ceremony, after which construction will commence. It took us only four months to acquire land, while the government, with all its paraphernalia, took a year. So where was the delay on our part?” he asked.
Mr. Satheesan also said the Congress-led Karnataka government had provided funds to the Kerala government for constructing houses in Wayanad, and that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) — a key constituent of the UDF Opposition — had already completed the construction of 52 houses, which would be handed over to the beneficiaries soon. “We will also do that,” he added.
At the same time, he alleged that the State government had received ₹1,642 crore for helping the landslide victims, but was neither providing them with money for medical treatment nor building a road or a bridge to the area.
“The poor people are being victimised by the government, which has collected money in their name and is holding on to it. Nothing is being done for them. That is the problem,” he alleged.
Accuses govt of being ‘incompetent’
He further accused the State government of being “incompetent”, stating that “it could not even properly prepare a list of those affected” by the landslides in three wards.
During the press meet, Mr. Satheesan also said the Left front was “weakening”, which was “evident from the differences” between the CPI(M) and the CPI on various issues, including the signing of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.
“Team UDF, on the other hand, stands united,” he added.
Published – February 10, 2026 02:53 pm IST
