Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Sunday reiterated his opposition to the distribution of free food (pothichoru) by political organisations inside government hospitals, asserting that the government will not allow such political activities under any circumstances.
Speaking to the media in Pathanamthitta, the Health Minister said the UDF government would not permit any political party or organisation to carry out activities inside hospital premises. He clarified that the policy applies uniformly to all organisations, explicitly naming the CPM youth wing DYFI, the Youth Congress, and Seva Bharati.
“Food should not be distributed under party banners or flags. That is wrong, and the government will not permit it. If organisations want to help, they can contribute to the community kitchens,” he said.
The Health Minister said free meals for patients and their bystanders would be institutionalised through government-supported community kitchens. He said the community kitchen model would first be introduced at Alappuzha Medical College and later expanded to other government hospitals after consultations with voluntary organisations.
The decision follows criticism from rebel CPM leader and Ambalapuzha MLA G. Sudhakaran, who opposed organisations using promotional banners and flags during hospital food distribution drives.
The move addresses growing concerns that government healthcare facilities were turning into venues for competitive political posturing.
Tensions peaked over the DYFI’s prominent Pothichoru (packaged lunch) distribution programme. Concerns were also raised over public donation drives for these programmes, prompting calls for strict financial audits by Hospital Development Committees to ensure transparency.
Responding to the Health Minister’s statement, DYFI state secretary V.K. Sanoj said the organisation would continue distributing free meals (pothichoru) at government hospitals. “No minister can stop it,” he added.
Former Minister and CPM leader P.A. Muhammad Riyas urged the Health Minister to shed his ego over the distribution of food packets.
The BJP has also voiced strong objections to the directives issued by Health Minister K. Muraleedharan. Party leader K. Surendran criticised the government’s policy preventing voluntary organisations from distributing food in hospitals.