Kottarakara: BJP leader K Surendran, who has been slapped with non-bailable cases in connection with the Sabarimala row, has alleged that he is a victim of witch-hunting by the Kerala Chief Minister's office.
"There is a conspiracy to put me in jail for ever. The CM fears that I might win Manjeshwaram constituency," the BJP general secretary said while he was being taken to the Ranni court on Friday. Surendran, who lost the Manjeshwaram Assembly election in 2016 by a whisker, had challenged the results in the Kerala HC.
Surendran, along with two others, had been arrested on November 18 from Nilakkal as he tried to proceed to the Lord Ayyappa Temple despite being advised by police personnel against visiting Sabarimala due to law and order issues. He was granted bail on Wednesday. But as a non-bailable warrant is pending against him before the Kannur magistrate court, Surendran was not let off. On Thursday, another non-bailable case was slapped on him over the protests at Sabarimala on Chithira Thirunal Aatta Vishesham on November 5.
Surendran was remanded in custody again on Friday. He said that he would face the case legally. "They cannot pin me down with false cases," he added. His bail plea will be considered on Saturday.
Restrictions have been imposed at the Lord Ayyappa temple following protests by devotees and activists of the BJP and the RSS over the state government's decision to implement the September 28 Supreme Court order.
The hill shrine was opened on November 16 evening for a long pilgrimage season amid tension.
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