Tantri behaviour serious issue, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Kannur: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday termed the revelation by BJP state president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai that the tanthri of the Sabarimala temple had consulted him on closing the hill shrine if a woman had visited the temple on the strength of the Supreme Court verdict as “very serious”.

“The tanthri should have consulted the lawyers of the Devaswom Board or the advocate-general,” the Chief Minister said, while addressing a public meeting organised by the LDF in Kannur. “Instead, he has joined hands with those who defiled the temple.”

Hitting out at Mr Pillai, Mr Vijayan said the genuine devotees of Lord Ayyappa should understand the BJP’s game plan. Later, in a tweet, he said: “The odious politics and perfidious ways of BJP stand exposed. Evidence has surfaced that BJP leaders in the state connived to create trouble in Sabarimala. It must be noted that their State president himself was involved in the ruse. This is highly condemnable,” he said.

Meanwhile, Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran said Mr Pillai's statements were an “open challenge” to society and to the Supreme Court. The BJP was trying to turn the "secular Kerala" into a "riot zone" Mr  Surendran alleged, adding there was a conspiracy behind it and those involved should be brought to book.