Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas refuted the allegations by the opposition parties including the BJP and the Congress that the Kerala government had ulterior ‘motives’ behind inviting controversial Haryana based spy Jyoti Malhotra. He said that the allegation was baseless and the statements by opposition did not have any substance. The tourism minister stated to the media that the Left government in the state and its ministers would never “knowingly” invite spies here and provide them with all facilities.
Riyas made the remark in response to reporters’ queries regarding BJP leader K Surendran’s allegation that social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested in May on suspicion of spying for Pakistan, was invited to Kerala for promoting tourism in the state.
“Does anyone think Kerala government and the tourism department will invite a spy to this state for tourism purposes?”. The opposition is trying to defame the government through al possible channels”, added Mohammed Riyas to the media.
The startling revelation, which came in the form of an RTI reply, has triggered controversy with criticism being raised from various corners against the government decision. However, tourism minister Mohammed Riyas has outrightly rejected the claims and has downplayed the allegations by the BJP that the CPM government in Kerala had invited the Haryana- based spy with ulterior motives.
BJP state president K Surendran in a post on social media platform ‘X’, also referred to an RTI reply confirming such an invitation to Malhotra and questioned why “a Pak-linked spy’s trip” was sponsored by Kerala Tourism. The BJP leader had made such allegations on ‘X’ earlier too.
Meanwhile, Youth League state secretary P K Firoz said the minister was shirking his responsibility of giving an explanation on how the fiasco happened.
“The news report of Jyoti being invited by the government is shocking. The minister has the responsibility to answer the questions. Instead, he is giving rude replies and saying people are with them. He should ideally respond on whether her whereabouts were scrutinized or not. But here the minister is being arrogant and is trying to be the super chief minister”, said PK Firoz.