Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on May 26 intensified his attack against Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan over the long-pending demand for a CBI inquiry into the alleged Sabarimala gold loot case, accusing the Congress leadership of abandoning promises made during the election campaign.
Addressing the media, Chandrasekhar said Satheeshan had repeatedly demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged Sabarimala gold loot before the Assembly elections but had now “mysteriously fallen silent” after assuming office.
“During the election campaign, V.D. Satheeshan strongly demanded a CBI inquiry. But now, after becoming Chief Minister, he is silent. This silence is mysterious,” Chandrasekhar alleged.
BJP Raises Sonia Gandhi Meeting Claim
The BJP leader went further, claiming that the Congress leadership feared exposure if a central investigation was initiated. Chandrasekhar alleged that secret meetings involving Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi and Unnikrishnan Potti, whom he described as the “kingpin” behind the alleged gold loot, could come under scrutiny if the CBI took over the investigation.
He accused both the Congress and CPI(M) of functioning together on issues involving corruption and political convenience.
“Both Congress and CPI(M) are hand-in-glove in cheating the people and making hollow promises. Here again, it is clear that both are one,” Chandrasekhar said.
BJP Says Sabarimala Issue Not Closed
The BJP leader asserted that the conclusion of elections would not end public discussions surrounding Sabarimala-related controversies. According to him, alleged temple protocol violations and the suffering endured by Ayyappa devotees during previous controversies had deeply hurt believers across the world.
“Crores of Ayyappa devotees are emotionally attached to Sabarimala. BJP will not remain silent until all those involved in the gold loot and those who politically protected them are brought before the law,” he said.
Chandrasekhar stated that the BJP would continue demanding:
- A CBI inquiry into the alleged Sabarimala gold loot
- Action against those allegedly involved in the conspiracy
- Identification of political figures who allegedly supported the accused
- Unconditional withdrawal of cases registered against activists involved in Sabarimala protests
BJP Signals Street Agitations
Indicating a more aggressive political campaign ahead, Chandrasekhar said the BJP may be forced to launch public agitations if the government continued to ignore the issue.
“It appears BJP will have to take the agitation route for these demands to be fulfilled,” he said.
The BJP also accused Satheeshan of forgetting several promises made during the election campaign after assuming office. Chandrasekhar cited the Munambam issue as an example, referring to Satheeshan’s earlier claim that a solution could be found “within 10 minutes.”
Attack on Congress-Muslim League Alliance
The BJP president also targeted the Congress-led alliance in Keralam, alleging that Satheeshan was functioning under pressure from coalition partners including the Indian Union Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami.
“He has become a serf in the hands of the Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami. This has been visible since his swearing-in,” Chandrasekhar alleged.
The remarks are expected to further intensify the political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress-led government in Keralam, particularly around religious and temple-related issues that have historically generated sharp public reactions in the state.
