Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Ramesh Chennithala has accused the Pinarayi Vijayan government of diverting funds raised through high-interest masala bonds for election publicity. Chennithala claimed that money borrowed for infrastructure development was illegally used for government advertisement campaigns to secure Chief Minister Vijayan’s third term. He demanded an immediate halt to this politically motivated publicity funded through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
Citing the KIIFB Act, Chennithala highlighted that the law allows funds to be used strictly for infrastructure investment, project financial assistance, bond repayments, and specified scheme-related purposes. He criticized the spending of nearly Rs 102 crore from KIIFB funds between 2018 and 2021 on advertisements and government promotions, with a significant amount allegedly spent during the 2020-21 election year.
Chennithala further alleged that around Rs 30 crore was used for sponsored content on television channels without proper disclosure, and Rs 50 crore was spent on the ‘Keraleeyam’ mega event. He raised concerns about substantial payments to private individuals from KIIFB funds in 2023–24 and warned of legal consequences, stating that a future government would investigate and recover misused funds.
