Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 21 (NationPress) The Sabarimala gold plating controversy has sparked significant political unrest in Kerala, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) preparing to question former Devaswom Minister and prominent CPI(M) legislator Kadakampally Surendran.

This development follows critical information disclosed during the questioning of arrested former Travancore Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar, whose statements have seemingly implicated the former minister.

Padmakumar, who was taken into custody as the sixth suspect in the case on Thursday, asserted that Unnikrishnan Potti, the financier behind the gold plating of the Sreekovil's wooden panels and Dwarapalaka sculptures, initially submitted his sponsorship request to the government rather than directly to the Devaswom Board.

He elaborated that the file was subsequently forwarded to the Board under government directives, allegedly with ministerial endorsement.

SIT insiders confirmed that Padmakumar acknowledged multiple meetings with Potti at Aranmula and the Devaswom Board headquarters, where he facilitated Potti's application, citing ministerial approval.

These revelations, alongside documents and officer accounts obtained from the Devaswom Board office, played a pivotal role in securing Padmakumar's arrest.

Investigators now deem that questioning Kadakampally Surendran is vital to ascertain if there was governmental interference in what was purportedly an independent Board decision.

While talks are reportedly in progress to issue a notice summoning Kadakampally, the former minister has strongly denied any misconduct.

He reaffirmed that the Devaswom Board functions independently, asserting that neither the minister nor the department wields authority over its structural or financial choices.

He stressed that no pertinent file has ever reached him and urged that conclusions should be drawn from the chargesheet rather than conjecture.

However, political pressure on the CPI(M) intensifies, particularly with the Sabarimala pilgrimage season and local body elections approaching.

With two former Board presidents already in custody and Padmakumar, a district committee member and close party associate, now detained, the opposition is alleging deeper political entanglements.

CPI(M) state secretary M. V. Govindan dismissed claims of party embarrassment, asserting that only honest individuals are valued, suggesting a potential distancing from the accused.