Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the LDF government in Kerala over the alleged gold theft at the Sabarimala temple, asking how those who failed to protect the sacred properties of Sabarimala could safeguard the faith of the people.
Addressing newly elected BJP representatives of local bodies and inaugurating the party’s Mission 2026 campaign for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections here on Sunday, Shah said the gold theft at Sabarimala was a matter of concern not only for the people of Kerala but also for devotees across the country.
He questioned how a government that could not protect the property of Sabarimala could protect the faith of the people.
“Those who failed to protect the sacred properties of Sabarimala cannot safeguard the faith of the people,” Shah said, asserting that only the BJP could protect the beliefs of devotees in Kerala.
Stating that the police First Information Report (FIR) in the Sabarimala gold heist case contained loopholes that could help the accused escape, Shah demanded a probe by a neutral investigation agency to bring all the culprits to justice.
“The Chief Minister should hand over the probe to a neutral investigation agency. The BJP will carry out protests and door-to-door awareness campaigns. This is democracy, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, and you must order a probe by a neutral agency,” Shah said.
“I have seen the FIR in the Sabarimala gold heist case. It contains loopholes that allow criminals to escape. Two ministers are under suspicion in the minds of the people. How can you justify those ministers? You cannot conduct an impartial investigation. Neither can the UDF, because their leaders are also seen in photographs with the accused in this case. Are you ready to hand over the matter to an impartial agency?” he asked Chief Minister Vijayan.
Alleging that the fight between the UDF and the LDF in Kerala was merely a drama, Shah said that whenever the Congress needed it, the communists had helped the grand old party, citing their coming together in Tripura and West Bengal.
“When communism ended all over the world, the Congress ended all over India. Kerala’s development is possible only under a BJP government. Our goal is not just electoral victory, but the development of Kerala, for which a BJP Chief Minister must come. That day is not far away. Today, a BJP mayor has come to the state capital,” Shah said.
Claiming that the BJP would form the government in West Bengal after the 2026 elections, Shah said that 2024 and 2025 had been successful years for the party and that this momentum would continue in 2026 as well.
Earlier on Sunday morning, Amit Shah offered darshan at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple here. The Union Minister reached the north gate of the temple at around 10 am and spent about 20 minutes inside. He was received by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan, and others.