Kerala: CPM Criticised for denying temple affairs portfolio to O.R. Kelu

Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress, BJP, and Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha have criticized the CPM for not assigning the Devaswom (temple affairs) portfolio to O R Kelu, who is poised to be the first tribal minister from the Left in the state.

The BJP labelled the CPM's actions as akin to those of a "feudal lord," while AICC general secretary K C Venugopal remarked that Kelu is a competent leader and that the reasons for denying him the Devaswom portfolio are known only to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha leader Geetanandan charged the CPM with pandering to the "Savarnas," alleging that upper caste organizations exerted pressure to strip the portfolio from ministers of Dalit and Tribal communities.

Following his selection by the CPM state leadership for the Cabinet, Kelu was assigned solely the portfolio for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes. Previously, K Radhakrishnan held this portfolio in addition to Devaswom and Parliamentary Affairs. The Devaswom portfolio has now been allocated to Cooperation Minister V N Vasavan, while Parliamentary Affairs have been entrusted to Excise Minister M B Rajesh.

O R Kelu maintained that his lack of experience could come in the way of handling portfolios like parliamentary affairs. The portfolio involves serious legislative business, people with some experience can manage it, he told media persons

Meanwhile, Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha leader M Geethanandan has alleged that the devaswom department was not assigned to Kelu to placate the "savarnas". Furthermore, Geethanandan suggested that leaders of Savarna organizations might have influenced the chief minister to alter the portfolio.

He implied that the recent portfolio change should be viewed in light of former minister Radhakrishnan's earlier statement on the prevalence of untouchability in various sectors.

It may be recalled that Radhakrishnan had faced alleged caste discrimination at the hands of pujaris in the temple in Kannur last year. The minister had publicly protested against caste discrimination.