Thiruvananthapuram: With the helicopter controversy creating huge embarrassment for the government and the party, the CPM state leadership is likely to foot the bill for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s copter ride.

The state secretariat of the party scheduled to meet on Thursday is likely to take a call on meeting the expenses worth Rs 8 lakh. CPM leadership is keen to settle the expenses incurred on Chief Minister’s return journey to Thrissur for taking part in the party district conference.





A section of the party leadership believes that if the amount is not settled now, it could lead to unseemly controversy and even legal problems in future.

Cooperation minister Kadakampally Surendran gave enough hints about party intervention in the matter. When asked about the controversy, he told media persons here that irrelevant issues were being raked up. “It is not a big deal for the party to raise Rs 8 lakh. This is a totally irrelevant issue. It has not come to the notice of the Chief Minister or his office. This government does not indulge in such things. Once the issue was brought to the government’s notice the order was scrapped,” he pointed out.