Is there a CPI(M)-Congress Collusion in the Sabarimala Gold Heist?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 10 (NationPress) The president of Kerala BJP, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, raised serious allegations on Saturday, claiming that a “vested-interest nexus” between CPI(M) and Congress is the mastermind behind the Sabarimala gold heist. His remarks questioned the arrest of tantri (priest) Kantarar Rajeevar, suggesting it was a tactic to distract from the true culprits.
Chandrasekhar expressed concern over the lack of arrests among Ministers involved, stating, “If the tantri can be arrested, why has no Minister been implicated?” He highlighted the involvement of significant political figures in the alleged theft of gold.
He further asserted that such an incident could not happen without political backing, accusing both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-led UDF of protecting those responsible.
To address this issue, Chandrasekhar announced that the BJP-led NDA would initiate statewide protests on January 14, Makara Vilakku day, by lighting the “Ayyappa Jyothi” in residences and communities. This event will kick off a larger movement against what he termed as political meddling and mismanagement surrounding the Sabarimala gold theft.
These illuminations symbolize public opposition to both the LDF and UDF, he noted.
In a related comment, his predecessor K. Surendran criticized the operations of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), expressing his belief that the tantri lacked the authority to manage the bhandaram (hundi), which he argued is the responsibility of the Devaswom Board to protect temple assets.
Surendran emphasized that accountability for the theft should lie with the Board and the government that oversees it. He even suggested that if there were any violations of customs, the Chief Minister should have been the first to face arrest.
Additionally, Surendran highlighted that the remand report did not indicate any financial gain for the tantri, thus raising questions regarding the justification for the arrest.
In a related development, a group of state BJP leaders visited the imprisoned tantri's residence in Chengannur.