Tamil Nadu BJP former president K Annamalai on Monday termed the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, held on Saturday at Pampa by the LDF government, as a political drama organized with an eye on the upcoming elections.
Inaugurating the Vishwasa Sangamam (Gathering of Devotees) in Pandalam on Monday, an alternative to the government-sponsored Global Ayyappa Summit, Annamalai alleged that the LDF’s initiative was aimed at erasing its “anti-Sanatana Dharma” image before the polls.
Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Annamalai said, “He (Pinarayi Vijayan) is a person who does not believe in God or Sanatana Dharma. But suddenly, he became a proponent of the Bhagavad Gita and quoted verses from it. This is nothing but drama.”
He further remarked, “Pinarayi Vijayan, who once said there is no God, is now taking classes on the Bhagavad Gita. Those who earlier claimed Lord Ganesha is a myth are suddenly lecturing on Hinduism. This is only to mislead Hindus.”
Annamalai also criticized the Kerala government for inviting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, “a known opponent of Sanatana Dharma,” to the Global Ayyappa Conference, saying it reflected the political motives of the organizers.
“Just as the DMK organized a Global Muruga Conference, the LDF arranged the Global Ayyappa Sangamam. Both parties are opposed to Sanatana Dharma and are not fit to represent it,” he said. He further alleged that Vijayan’s broader aim was to develop Pampa into a tourist centre.
The Vishwasa Sangamam, organized by the Sabarimala Karma Samithi and the Hindu Aikya Vedi, brought together over 150 office-bearers of religious organizations, more than 60 monks, temple representatives, members of the Sabarimala Tantri and Thiruvabharanam Sangha, Malayaraya Samajam representatives, and a large number of Ayyappa devotees.
BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, and Hindu Aikya Vedi leaders including Sasi Kala Teacher and R.V. Babu also participated in the event.