Achuthanandan’s son member of Golf Club: Secretary

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Hours after Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said he was unsure whether his son was connected with the Thiruvananthapuram Golf Club, the club’s secretary confirmed that his son was a member for the past many years.

“V.S. Arun became a member by fulfilling all the mandatory requirements. He joined sometime in 2003-04, and submitted Rs.75,000 as the fee for life membership,” club secretary S. Reghuchandran Nair said Wednesday.

Earlier, the chief minister was prodded by reporters on his family’s links with the elite club.

“See, I have to check to find out if my son is a member of the Golf Club. I will also have to check who all’s sons are members too,” Achuthanandan said.

Thiruvananthapuram Golf Club has been mired in controversy in the recent past, with the state government attempting to take over its reins on the basis of a provision in its land lease.

The Supreme Court in June directed the state government to form a 10-member committee to run the club.

Nair said that Arun Kumar became a member when Achuthanandan was the leader of opposition, and added that there was no reason why the chief minister’s son could not be one of the club’s 600 members.

“Just because one’s father is the chief minister, does that become a disqualification? Moreover, should a father know all what his son does,” Nair asked.

The 9-hole golf course, spread over 25 acres, is situated in the heart of the city. It was established by the royal family of Travancore in 1850.