The Sabarimala gold theft case has turned into a major political showdown in Kerala, with Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan launching a stinging attack on the Pinarayi Vijayan government on Friday. Speaking in Kochi, Satheesan alleged that the state is actively trying to sabotage the Special Investigation Team (SIT) by planting two police officers "close to the CPI(M)" into the probe. He dismissed the Chief Minister’s claims of non-interference, arguing instead that the government is under immense pressure because several party leaders are already behind bars, with more likely to follow.
Satheesan didn't hold back on the Chief Minister's attempt to link the prime accused to Congress leaders through old photographs. He called the move a desperate distraction, pointing out that if photos were the criteria for guilt, the Chief Minister himself would have plenty to answer for. "The SIT isn't investigating who took a selfie with whom," Satheesan remarked, "it is investigating a series of brazen thefts at a holy site that occurred right under the LDF’s watch since 2019." He emphasised that the probe is only happening because of a direct order from the High Court, which the government is now allegedly trying to undermine.
The controversy also spilled over into local governance, with Satheesan accusing the CPI(M) of blatant horse-trading to secure the Wadakkanchery block panchayat. He cited a viral voice clip as evidence that the party offered ₹50 lakh to a UDF rebel for their vote. He further mocked the CM’s claims of a Congress-BJP nexus, counter-alleging that it is actually the CPI(M) that has a "tacit understanding" with the Bharatiya Janata Party, pointing to the government’s unilateral agreement on the PM SHRI scheme as proof.
Satheesan ended his briefing by taking aim at SNDP Yogam leader Vellappally Natesan, accusing him of acting as a "mouthpiece" for the Chief Minister to spread communal hate. He alleged that Natesan’s recent attacks on the IUML and even the CPI (an LDF ally) are being done with the explicit blessing of Pinarayi Vijayan. By framing Natesan’s rhetoric as a "heinous hate campaign," Satheesan signalled that the opposition intends to make these communal dynamics a central issue as the state moves toward the next election cycle.
Also read: Kerala CMO interfering in Sabarimala SIT probe: Satheesan
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