Is Rs 8 crore 'blown up' for the CM Vijayan-led Global Ayyappa Sangamam?
Synopsis
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala questions the Pinarayi Vijayan government's spending of Rs 8 crore on the Global Ayyappa Sangamam. With allegations of commission payments, he demands transparency and accountability regarding public funds. What does this mean for the event's integrity and the government's credibility?
Key Takeaways
Rs 8 crore was spent on the Global Ayyappa Sangamam.
Allegations of commission payments have been raised by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala.
The event was organized by the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Chennithala demands transparency and accountability regarding the funding.
The event reportedly failed to attract the expected number of attendees.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 14 (NationPress) Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala has fiercely criticized the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government regarding the alleged Rs eight crore spending on the Global Ayyappa Sangamam. He contended that a substantial part of this sum was disbursed as commissions.
The event, organized by the Travancore Devaswom Board on September 20, aimed to commemorate its Platinum Jubilee and promote Sabarimala's distinctive tradition of secular spirituality and inclusive worship.
Chennithala's remarks followed CM Vijayan's assertion that there was no misconduct involved, emphasizing that, unlike other state administrations, there are no commissions allocated for projects in Kerala.
He insisted on a comprehensive and transparent report detailing the expenditures.
“It is illogical to spend Rs 8 crore on a single-day event. The public deserves clarity on the allocation of these funds. A considerable portion appears to be commission-based. This government is rife with commissions from top to bottom,” he stated.
Recalling the government's previous claim that the event would be financed through sponsorships, he questioned, “If so, how much was actually raised and who are the sponsors?”
Chennithala noted that nearly Rs four crore had already been earmarked for project implementation costs, sourced from the Travancore Devaswom Board's working fund.
“If sponsors are covering costs, why utilize the Devaswom Board’s funds? Who are the elusive sponsors willing to spend millions on what turned out to be an unsuccessful event?” he queried.
He also referenced reports indicating that significant advances were paid from the Devaswom fund to luxury hotels in Kottayam and Kumarakom for VIP accommodations.
“The government must reveal who these VIPs were,” he demanded.
He added that the event failed to attract the anticipated number of international participants, leading to the disposal of food prepared for 4,000 guests.
“This was a poorly attended event with empty seats. The government needs to clarify how the Rs 8 crore expense was justified and disclose who profited from the commissions. The Devaswom Board is not a financial reservoir; it operates on donations from devotees, and they will not permit their contributions to be misused,” he asserted.
Point of View
Our national perspective underscores a commitment to transparency and accountability in government spending. The allegations raised by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala regarding the Global Ayyappa Sangamam's expenses warrant thorough investigation. The public deserves clarity on how their contributions are utilized, and we stand for the principles of good governance.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global Ayyappa Sangamam?
The Global Ayyappa Sangamam is a congregation of Ayyappa devotees aimed at celebrating the tradition of Sabarimala and promoting secular spirituality.
Who organized the event?
The event was organized by the Travancore Devaswom Board as part of its Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
What is the controversy surrounding the funding?
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has alleged that a significant portion of the Rs 8 crore spent was allocated as commissions, demanding transparency in the expenditures.
How much was reportedly spent on the event?
The reported expenditure on the Global Ayyappa Sangamam was Rs 8 crore.
What did Chennithala demand from the government?
Chennithala demanded a full and transparent breakdown of the event's expenses and accountability for the funds used.
