Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 22 (NationPress) The Kerala Assembly was rendered incapacitated on Thursday as the Opposition intensified its critique of the CPI(M)-led government regarding the Sabarimala gold theft. Leader of the Opposition (LoP), V.D. Satheesan, emphasized that this matter called for ministerial resignations instead of another legislative debate.

Speaking to the press outside the Assembly, LoP Satheesan stated that the Opposition intentionally refrained from requesting a discussion as there was “nothing left to debate” following what he termed “shocking revelations” made by the High Court in its November 5 ruling.

The Opposition’s primary demands included the resignation of Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and an end to what they allege is undue influence from the Chief Minister’s Office over the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is looking into the case.

Satheesan highlighted the court’s remark that, despite knowing about the 2019 gold theft—where the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, allegedly misappropriated 475 grams of gold—the Devaswom Board still entrusted him with gold-plating work again, in blatant violation of judicial orders.

He further noted the more serious finding that Potti was summoned again in 2024, supported by an “urgent” letter from the then Devaswom Board president, followed by a Board directive permitting the work to proceed under sponsorship.

According to Satheesan, the court also indicated that although there was ample opportunity to perform repairs at Sabarimala before the Mandalam season, arrangements were made to dispatch the Dwarapalaka idols, creating what he termed a “manufactured urgency” in 2025.

“Both Devaswom Minister Vasavan and the former Board president are fully accountable for this,” he asserted, reinforcing that the Opposition's call for the minister’s resignation is firmly rooted in the court’s findings.

Targeting the Treasury Benches, Satheesan criticized ministers M.B. Rajesh and Sivankutty for their comments in the Assembly, accusing them of trying to divert attention by involving Sonia Gandhi in the controversy.

“Did Sonia Gandhi have a hand in the gold theft?” he questioned, pointing out that photos of Potti with various leaders, including the Chief Minister, exist, but that is not the core issue.

“The allegation is that the Chief Minister protected those implicated,” he claimed.

Satheesan also accused former Devaswom Minister and senior CPI-M legislator Kadakampally Surendran of having a “clear role” in the incident and mentioned that pressure was being applied to prevent his arrest due to fears of further disclosures.