Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the Ayyappa Sangamam organized by the state government is a political drama.
File Photo: IANS
BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday came down heavily on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the state government’s plan to organise a Global Ayyappa Sangamam in Sabarimala on September 20.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the Ayyappa Sangamam organized by the state government is a political drama. He accused the CM Vijayan of playing politics to mislead devotees ahead of the local body elections
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Responding to Chief Minister Vijayan’s statement on Wedesday that the Ayyappa Sangamam should not be viewed as political, Rajeev Chandrasekhar asked if it is not political, then what is it?
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“If the Global Ayyappa Sangamam is not political, shouldn’t the Devaswom Board Chairman have gone to Chennai to invite Stalin? Why was MK. Stalin invited to the Sangamam? When did Stalin become an Ayyappa devotee? This is politics. That’s how people see it. This is a political drama when there are only four months left for the assembly elections, said Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
The Chief Minister said that the Ayyappa Sangam is not a government event, but a Devaswom event. If the Ayyappa Sangamam is being organized by the Tavancore Devaswom Board(TDB), then let it happen, he said.
“ If the Devaswom Board, which has not provided basic facilities to devotees in Sabarimala for 10 years, is organizing the Ayyappa Sangamam before the elections, then let it happen. Stalin, who said that Hinduism is a virus, and Pinarayi Vijayan , who harassed Ayyappa devotees should not go there, as it is an insult to Hindus,” he said.
He said Stalin and his party, DMK, have always stood against Hinduism. Chief Minister Vijayan is bound to respect the feelings of Ayyappa devotees while organising the event, he added that neither Stalin nor Pinarayi Vijayan should attend the devotees’ summit.
“Why was Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin invited for the event? When did he turn an Ayyappa devotee? DMK’s Stalin, who said Hindus are a virus, and the CPM chief minister, who harmed Ayyappa devotees, should not attend the Ayyappa Sangamam,” he said.
“The chief minister is an atheist Who will believe when he talks about worship. Should a non-believer chief minister conduct the programme? If someone speaks against the Muslim community, will they be invited to a Muslim function?,” the BJP leader asked.
“The government claimed that the Travancore Devaswom Board is organising the event. The TDB has been a complete failure in providing facilities for pilgrims at Sabarimala. .Now, they are organising a summit in Ayappa’s name in a bid to impress the Hindu voters.If it is really a TDB event, why did the CM mention it in his press conference? How can the Chief minister-a CPI-M leader, who is an atheist, organizes an event in the name of Lord Ayyappa?.He is trying to fool the public,” said the BJP Kerala chief.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar also responded to the criticism leveled against him at the press conference held by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday.
“Yesterday, the Chief Minister said, Rajeev Chandrasekhar knows nothing. He knows nothing about Kerala. I am not a political scholar. I have common sense. I am a hard worker. I understand the problems of the people of Kerala. I don’t want to be a scholar like the CM. I am a Hindu who made darshan at Sabarimala 18 times,” he said.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday strongly criticised BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar for his remarks on the upcoming global meet of Ayyappa devotees, scheduled to be held on the banks of the Pampa on September 20.The CM urged the BJP leader not to politicise the matter. He said the Devaswom Board is organising it, and as usual, the government will provide the necessary support. Beyond that, the government has no role in it.
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