Kerala BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused a CPI(M)-Congress alliance of orchestrating the Sabarimala gold heist to deflect blame. Chandrasekhar questioned the arrest of the temple priest and criticized the lack of action against government officials involved. He asserted that the theft was backed by political figures from both ruling and opposition parties.
Chandrasekhar declared that the BJP-led NDA would protest against the alleged cover-up by lighting lamps on January 14. He condemned the political interference in the case and vowed a widespread campaign against it. The act of lighting lamps symbolizes public opposition to the ruling and opposition factions, according to Chandrasekhar.
Former BJP state president K. Surendran raised concerns about the transparency of the Special Investigation Team handling the case. Surendran emphasized that the temple priest had no authority over the temple’s assets and blamed the Devaswom Board for their protection. He held the Board and the overseeing government responsible for the theft and suggested that the Chief Minister should have been the first to be arrested.
Surendran highlighted that the remand report did not indicate any financial gain by the priest, casting doubt on the reasons for his arrest. Additionally, a group of state BJP leaders visited the priest’s home in Chengannur as a gesture of support.
