Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - HT Navi Mumbai Live
Parties using temple to target govt: CM
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that some political parties were raking up the Sabarimala temple issue to target the Left government in the state ahead of the assembly elections, a day after Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury’s statements on the issue attracted the ire of the opposition parties.
Talking to reporters in Malappuram on Thursday, the chief minister said there were no problems at the temple for last two years. “Since the election is round the corner, some people take special interest in Sabarimala. We have seen the temple witness peaceful pilgrimage in last two years. We will talk to all concerned once the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict.”
During the annual pilgrimage season in 2018, the state witnessed large-scale violence and five shutdowns when the government tried to enforce the Supreme
Court verdict annulling a decades-old bar on the entry of women of child-bearing age to the Sabarimala temple.
Expressing confidence that the Left Democratic Front, led by CPI(M), will return to power, the CM said the opposition parties were targeting the government with an eye on elections.
“As a continuation of power is sure for the Left, some parties are coming out with new theories and [are] busy raking up old issues to target the government which always surged ahead with development activities. Dragging the temple issue is part of it,” he said.
His statements have come a day after Yechury said, “As far as the party is concerned, its position on the issue remains the same. We believe in equality. The elected government was duty-bound to implement the verdict of the highest court.”
Many Hindu outfits sought clarifications from the CM. “If the CM is sincere he has to withdraw the affidavit which the government submitted in the court and maintain status quo at the temple,” said Hindu Aikya Vedi leader R V Babu.
The opposition Congress and BJP said the CM’s remarks were aimed at believers’ votes. “...It is nothing but double standard,” said opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala.