'Spy' vlogger in Kerala tourism row: BJP leader's picture with Jyoti Malhotra a shot in the arm for CPM

Thiruvananthapuram: Amid the BJP’s efforts to attack the CPM for engaging Jyoti Malhotra — a vlogger accused in a spy case — for Kerala Tourism’s promotion, a photo has surfaced showing her with former Union minister and Kerala BJP leader V Muraleedharan aboard the Vande Bharat Express.

The picture was taken during the commissioning of the Kasargod–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat service in 2023, and Malhotra was reportedly among the vloggers invited by the railways to the event.

Muraleedharan, who was the Minister of State for External Affairs, issued a clarification stating that many media persons and vloggers on board the train had recorded his comments, and Malhotra could have been among them.

He added that CPM-affiliated camps were making futile attempts to divert attention from their ties with the vlogger by circulating the photo now.

“I did not invite Malhotra to the launch of the Vande Bharat service. As of now, I have no information indicating she was invited by the Centre or the railways. In the case of Kerala Tourism’s promotion, it’s clear that the Kerala government invited and paid her. The Kerala government should clarify how they chose Malhotra,” Muraleedharan told DH.

BJP national leader in charge of Kerala Prakash Javdekar on Monday asked Kerala tourism minister Mohammed Riyas to clarify how Malhotra was included among the vloggers selected for Kerala tourism's promotion.

Jyoti Malhotra, who was held in May for spying for Pakistan, has traveled across Kerala couple of times in the last two years and made promotional videos for Kerala tourism.