BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar accuses the LDF government of using the arrest of the Sabarimala temple Thanthri to deflect attention from the party's poor performance in local elections. He alleges a 'Kuruva gang' involving Congress and CPM members is responsible for the gold theft and criticizes the non-arrest of a minister allegedly linked to the case. The BJP plans protests, including lighting lamps across the state on Makaravilakku Day.
NEW DELHI: BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday alleged that the arrest of temple Thanthri Kandaru Rajeevaru in the Sabarimala gold theft case is an attempt by the LDF government to divert public attention from the backlash it faced in the recent local body elections.
Addressing a press conference here, Chandrasekhar alleged that the Congress–CPM “Kuruva gang” is behind the Sabarimala temple gold robbery. “Huge efforts have been made by both the Left and the Congress to protect their members and ministers. The gold theft has been committed by the Congress–CPM ‘Kuruva gang’,” he said. He questioned why a minister allegedly linked to the case has not been arrested while the thanthri has been taken into custody. “When the thanthri is arrested, why is the minister not arrested? There are powerful politicians behind the Sabarimala gold robbery,” Chandrasekhar alleged. Stating that the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Devaswom Minister are responsible for safeguarding the temple’s gold and properties, the BJP state chief asked, “If the thanthri is arrested, why is the minister not being held accountable?” Chandrasekhar also announced that the Sabarimala Samrakshana Deepam would be lit in houses across the state on Jan 14, Makaravilakku Day, under the slogan ‘Veetilum Nattilum Ayyappa Jyoti’. “On Jan 14, Makaravilakku Day, Ayyappa Jyoti will be lit in all homes across the state as the beginning of an NDA-led protest. This is against the LDF and UDF for their role in the Sabarimala gold looting,” he said. Former BJP state president K. Surendran said the SIT proceedings in the case were mysterious and alleged that the arrest of the thanthri was a tactic by the LDF government to divert attention from its electoral setback in the local body polls. Speaking to the media, Surendran questioned why former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, who is allegedly involved in the conspiracy, was not arrested despite being questioned. He alleged that the SIT failed to arrest both Kadakampally Surendran and former TDB president P.S. Prasanth, despite what he claimed was ample evidence and the statement of Unnikrishnan Potti. Surendran further alleged that while former TDB member Sankardas, who signed the relevant minutes, is free, the thanthri—who, according to him, had not even seen the documents—was arrested. “Beyond rituals, the thanthri has no responsibility for the management of Devaswom properties. That responsibility rests entirely with the Travancore Devaswom Board,” he said. He pointed out that the remand report only mentions an alleged violation of customary practices by the thanthri and does not state that Thanthri Rajeevaru gained any monetary benefit from the gold theft. “The remand report speaks only of a ritual violation. The Devaswom Board is the custodian of the temple’s property, while the thanthri has only ritualistic authority,” Surendran said. He added that if cases are being filed on the grounds of ritual violations, then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan—who, he alleged, permitted the entry of women into the Ayyappa temple in the name of renaissance—should be arrested first. Surendran also alleged that Unnikrishnan Potti and a businessman consulted Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to identify a market to sell the stolen items. Making further allegations against the UDF, he said leaders Adoor Prakash and Anto Antony were also involved in the case. “Potti approached Sonia Gandhi to find an international market for antiquities. Sonia Gandhi’s sister has an antiquities trading company in Italy,” he claimed. Surendran demanded that the SIT record a statement from Sonia Gandhi to identify what he described as the real accused in the case. - The StatesmanTwo passports, one grudge: Roots of Korea's unease with 'black-haired foreigners'
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