CPM puts lid on Guruvayur temple visit row

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretariat on Friday decided to put to rest the controversy over devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran’s recent visit to Guruvayur temple. The secretariat which discussed the issue felt that there was no need to create a controversy over the issue as the explanation given by the minister was satisfactory.  CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan read out the explanation given by the minister at the secretariat meeting.

In his explanation, Kadakampally said that he had not conducted any ritual or worship but only followed traditional customs that are practised in that temple. Certain sections tried to create a controversy over the visit. It was pointed out that the BJP was desperately trying to take advantage of the controversy by raising false allegations against the minister and the party. Earlier BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan had slammed the CPM for seeking explanation from Kadakampally over his Guruvayur temple visit. 

A section of leaders felt that dragging the controversy further would do no good for the party. Moreover it would give the enemies an opportunity to target the party that too during the crucial Vengara by poll. Earlier a senior party leader had pointed out that Kadakampally Surendran’s worship at Sree Krishna temple was not in consonance with communist way of life. The party expected its leaders to absorb the Marxist world outlook based on dialectical materialism. The issue will be discussed at the meeting on Friday.

The minister had visited the temple on Ashtami Rohini day and offered pushpanjali on behalf of his family members. Apart from making donation, the minister reportedly offered prayers at the sacred steps of the temple and contributed money for anna danam. Later at a public meeting, the minister said he felt content after the visit to the temple. However, the minister defended his visit to Guruvayur. He said those who were intolerant about the good works that he was doing as devaswom minister were creating unnecessary controversy.