Keralam Minister K.M. Shaji again defends his use of luxury car as official vehicle

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K.M. Shaji told the media that a photo of him being widely circulated on social media, which showed him leaning on a luxury car with a State government registration plate, was created by someone using Artificial Intelligence tools. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Keralam Minister for Local Self-Governments and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader K.M. Shaji has again defended his use of a luxury car, accusing the news media of lapping up a controversy created by the “cyber wing” of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].

Mr. Shaji told the media on Sunday (September 27, 2026) that a photo of him being widely circulated on social media, which showed him leaning on a luxury car with a State government registration plate, was created by someone using Artificial Intelligence tools. He claimed that the vehicles being used by a Minister need not be government vehicles. The rule only says that it should have a tricolour.

Mr. Shaji said that personal vehicles can be used for government purposes. “The vehicle being used by a Minister is the Minister’s vehicle, and it can be a private vehicle...The only issue is that we should not grant any favours in return. If such a situation comes, we will see,” Mr. Shaji said, adding that the current rules would have to be “changed” if someone wanted to put him in the dock.

The IUML leader claimed that no legal issue was involved in his use of the borrowed car. But, there was a moral issue. He said he had returned the vehicle much before the controversy was created. Mr. Shaji also claimed that he had clarified his position before senior IUML leadership too. He said that he would not resort to anything illegal or anti-government. However, Mr. Shaji said that if any of the United Democratic Front felt hurt by the controversy, he would respect their emotions.

The Minister also defended his trip to Bulgaria, saying he had gone there following an invitation from the World Malayali Forum.

Mr. Shaji had earlier come under criticism for affixing the State government registration plate, Keralam State 13, reserved for the official vehicles of Cabinet Ministers, on the privately owned luxury vehicle belonging to his friend Yakoob Thillenkeri, a Kannur-based businessman in Riyadh. Later, he return the vehicle.

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