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Sabarimala Gold Scandal: BJP, Congress Slam TDB Term Extension Bid

The Kerala political scene is heating up over the Sabarimala gold plating scandal. Both BJP and Congress are accusing the state government of trying to shield accused individuals by extending the current TDB board's term. KPCC president Sunny Joseph claims this move is deliberately designed to protect those involved in the scandal. Meanwhile, the BJP plans to approach the Governor to prevent the term extension from being approved.

Key Points: BJP Congress Oppose TDB Term Extension in Sabarimala Gold Case

  • KPCC chief alleges government protecting gold plating scandal accused through board extension
  • BJP plans to approach Governor to block TDB term renewal
  • Current TDB president is former Congress leader who joined CPI-M
  • Investigation stalled with no gold recovery or effective questioning progress
2 min read

'Aimed at shielding accused in Sabarimala gold case': BJP and Cong on buzz over TDB term extension

Kerala BJP and Congress accuse Pinarayi government of shielding Sabarimala gold case accused through TDB term extension amid ongoing SIT probe.

'Aimed at shielding accused in Sabarimala gold case': BJP and Cong on buzz over TDB term extension
"The move to extend the board's term is not for administrative convenience but to protect the accused - Sunny Joseph"

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 5

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and MLA Sunny Joseph on Wednesday accused the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government of attempting to shield the accused in the Sabarimala gold plating case by extending the tenure of the current Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).

Joseph's statement comes hours after the Kerala High Court on Wednesday granted permission to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a scientific examination as part of its probe into the alleged gold plating irregularities at the Sabarimala temple.

Meanwhile, state unit BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday said they will approach the Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar and insist that he should not give his ascent to the extension of the present TDB Board.

One term of the TDB is for three years after which the state government appoints a fresh team or extends the tenure of the sitting board. The term of the current three-member TDB is ending shortly. Speculation have been rife that the Vijayan government is keen to give a fresh term to the existing board.

Joseph alleged that the government's decision to reportedly prolong the term of the current Devaswom Board administration was part of a deliberate bid to protect those involved in the scandal, including board members and political figures.

"The move to extend the board's term is not for administrative convenience but to protect the accused," Joseph said, adding that the government had created time and opportunity for the destruction of vital evidence.

Criticising the lack of progress in the probe despite a month having passed since the High Court’s stern observations, Joseph said that "there has been no effective questioning, no recovery of the lost gold, and the investigation remains virtually frozen".

He added that without the High Court’s continued oversight, the case might have been quietly buried.

Incidentally, the current Devaswom Board president, P.S. Prasanth is a former Congress leader from Thiruvananthapuram who joined the CPI-M after losing the 2021 Assembly election as a Congress candidate.

After his defection, he was rewarded with the prime post of TDB president.

The KPCC chief demanded that the government dissolve the present board and ensure that all culprits are brought to book.

"What we need is a decisive investigation, not a cover-up," he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a devotee who visits Sabarimala every year, this news breaks my heart. The gold plating scandal shows how political parties treat our religious institutions as their personal fiefdoms. Both Congress and BJP are just playing blame games while devotees suffer.
A
Arjun K
The fact that the TDB president was a Congress leader who switched to CPI-M says everything about political opportunism. All parties are equally responsible for this mess. We need independent oversight for temple administration, not political appointments.
S
Sarah B
While I agree there should be transparency, let's not forget that temple administration in Kerala has always been political. The real issue is ensuring the investigation proceeds without interference. The High Court's monitoring is crucial here.
M
Meera T
Why is there no urgency in recovering the lost gold? It belongs to the devotees! The government should immediately dissolve this board and appoint honest administrators who will protect temple assets, not loot them. 😠
V
Vikram M
This is exactly why temples should be free from government control. Look at the timing - just when SIT gets permission for scientific examination, they want to extend the board's term. Too convenient! The Governor should definitely not approve this extension.

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