A political controversy has emerged regarding waste management following the Attukal Pongala festival. Education Minister V. Sivankutty affirmed the state government’s readiness to intervene as needed, amidst criticism directed at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation for the slow post-festival cleanup. The festival, which attracted around four million women, involved a significant ritual where women cooked dishes along the temple’s vicinity.
The dispute stems from the BJP taking control of the Corporation for the first time in the city’s history, replacing the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front. Minister Sivankutty emphasized the government’s authority to address public concerns, surpassing the Corporation’s jurisdiction. The situation has sparked a clash between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bharatiya Janata Party over waste management issues arising from the festival.
In response to complaints of uncleared garbage post-festival, Sivankutty instructed officials to investigate the matter. He stressed the government’s duty to ensure necessary actions are taken without unnecessary disputes. Meanwhile, protests have erupted on the ground, with demands for immediate waste removal in various parts of the city. The Corporation, however, has defended its progress, accusing the CPI(M) of politicizing the situation.
