The Congress-led UDF on Tuesday launched an indefinite satyagraha in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan over the loot of Sabarimala temple gold.
Congress MLA CR Mahesh and Muslim League legislator Najeeb Kanthapuram began a dharna at the entrance to the assembly hall, demanding immediate resignation of Devaswom Minister Vasavan and accusing the Chief Minister’s Office of pressuring the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged theft of 4.54 kilograms of gold from Sabarimala temple artifacts.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the ruling LDF have termed the protest a move against the High Court, which is currently supervising the SIT investigation, and labelled the Opposition as “cowards” for not utilizing proper parliamentary methods.
As soon as the House met on Tuesday, after a three-day break, the Opposition raised the Sabarimala gold loot issue. The Opposition demanded that the Chief Minister should not put pressure on the SIT in the gold loot case. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan announced that the Opposition members, except the two members who are on satyagraha, will cooperate with the House proceedings.