NDA Accuses CPM-Congress Nexus in Sabarimala Gold Heist
NDA blames CPM-Congress nexus for Sabarimala gold heist and plans protest on Makaravilakku day.
The NDA on Saturday accused the ruling LDF government in Kerala of shielding the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold heist through a “CPM-Congress Kuruva gang.” BJP Kerala unit president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and leader K Surendran alleged that the recent arrest of the temple Tantri was a diversion to deflect attention from the ruling front’s local body election setbacks.
Chandrasekhar claimed a high-level political conspiracy behind the theft, asserting that the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, is protected by a nexus extending to both the CPM and Congress leadership, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Sonia Gandhi. He criticized targeting the Tantri while temple administrative heads remained untouched, calling it an attack on Sabarimala’s sanctity.
K Surendran highlighted alleged selective targeting in the investigation. He said the Tantri was charged under IPC 120 (B) while key political and administrative figures linked to breaches of temple customs were left unexamined. “If there is a conspiracy to violate tradition, the CM’s office must be the first focus,” he claimed.
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Pointing to investigative discrepancies, Surendran noted that the statement of the prime accused referenced former minister Kadakampally Surendran and ex-Devaswom Board president Prashanth, yet they were not arrested. He added that the Tantri appeared to have no financial gain from the theft, questioning the SIT’s decision to pursue him aggressively.
In response, the NDA announced a state-wide symbolic protest on January 14, coinciding with the holy Makaravilakku day. Termed the ‘Ayyappa Jyothi’ protest, believers have been urged to light lamps in homes and public spaces to express resistance against what the NDA described as a political witch-hunt.
The protest aims to mobilize public opinion against the government’s handling of the Sabarimala case and to highlight alleged corruption and mismanagement in the temple administration. Leaders emphasized that the demonstration would focus on symbolic unity rather than confrontation, drawing attention to perceived political interference in religious affairs.
Also Read: SIT Report: Sabarimala Gold Heist Was Part of a Premeditated Criminal Conspiracy
