Kerala Flood Relief: Shashi Tharoor is not our representative at UN, says CM Pinari Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21: The Kerala government on Tuesday denied that the Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is in Geneva to seek assistance from the United Nations and its allied agencies for the flood-hit state of Kerala, is not their representative at UN.

The CMO Kerala said that Shashi Tharoor is not their representative a UN and was not the envoy for the government, as reported by News 18.

Earlier in the day, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also thanked the country and international community for helping the flood-ravaged state in returning to normalcy. The chief minister said that the United Arab Emirates has offered nearly Rs 700 crore to rebuild Kerala.

The chief minister added that the United Arab Emirates has pledged $100 million (nearly Rs 700 crore) for relief work and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi has spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Tharoor had earlier sought permission to travel abroad from the Delhi court that is hearing the Sunanda Pushkar death case. He is currently out on bail. Tharoor said he had gone to seek aid after consultation with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

Tharoor, on the other hand, tweeted last night that he has reached Geneva to seek help from humanitarian agencies.

The application that Tharoor gave the Delhi court to seek permission to leave the country said that apart from seeking aid and relief for the massive calamity which has hit Kerala, the MP also wished to express condolences to the family of former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Kerala, which was destroyed due to heavy rain and flood, is currently on its way to normalcy. The state witnessed massive destruction which resulted in the death of over 350 people. The government along with some NGOs are trying to help Kerala get back on track by organising relief camps and providing medicines, food, clothes, and shelter to the flood victims.

The state has a humongous task of rehabilitating over 7 lakh people who were displaced by the floods.

Meanwhile, the Kerala government has called for an all party meet at 4 pm on Tuesday.