BJP stages protest march to Cliff House over alleged Sabarimala gold scam

BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has on Wednesday accused the CPM of betraying Hindu beliefs and devotees for the last ten years. Now they have looted the Sabarimala temple, he alleged.

Inaugurating the BJP’s protest march to the Chief Minister’s official residence (Cliff House) against the alleged “gold theft” in Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, Chandrasekha has accused the CPM of consistently betraying and harassing Hindu believers over the last ten years. The brokers behind the Sabarimala gold scam are all CPM members, said Chandrasekhar.

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Chandrasekhar demanded the immediate resignation of the Devaswom minister, VN Vasavan, and the Travancore Devaswom Board President PS Prasanth, holding them responsible for the alleged Sabarimala temple gold scam.

He said that Chief Minister Vijayan, who is sitting at Cliff House, had promised that everything would be set right. Despite ruling for 10 years, nothing has been fine.

“Wherever you look, there is corruption, misgovernance, negligence and appeasement politics,” he said.

The BJP Kerala chief said the CPM has broken the Congress’ record in corruption.

“For the CPM, looting is a major agenda. Why is looting happening only in temples? Why is there this discrimination? Why is it not happening in other religious institutions?” he asked.

He said the vigilance probe will not bring the real culprits behind the Sabarimala gold scam, only a probe by a central agency would bring the truth before the public.

Hundreds of BJP leaders and workers on Wednesday marched through the state capital to Cliff House, carrying banners accusing the CM and his associates of “looting the gold” from the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala. They demanded the resignation of the Devaswom minister and Travancore Devaswom president, taking responsibility for the alleged gold scam in the Sabarimala temple. The protesters were stopped from reaching the Cliff House by the barricades set up by the police.