Kerala BJP slams ‘atheist CM’ for hosting Global Ayyappa Sangamam, calls it 'political game'

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday came down heavily on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the government’s plan to organise a Global Ayyappa Sangamam in Sabarimala. He accused the CM of playing politics to mislead devotees ahead of the local body elections.

The BJP chief also questioned the LDF government for inviting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to the event, scheduled to be held at Pampa on September 20.

“The government claimed that the Travancore Devaswom Board is organising the event. The Board has been a complete failure in establishing facilities for pilgrims at Sabarimala. Now, they are organising a summit in Ayappa's name in a bid to impress the Hindu voters. If it is really a TDB event, why did the CM mention it in his press conference? How can a CPM leader, who is an atheist, organise an event in the name of Lord Ayyappa? He is trying to fool the public,” argued the BJP leader.

“Tamil Nadu CM Stalin should not attend the event. Stalin and his party, DMK, have always stood against Hinduism. I have visited Sabarimala 15 times. I have no interest in endorsing Das Kapital. But I am a believer. There are lakhs of believers in Kerala. The CM is bound to respect the feelings of Ayyappa devotees while organising the event,” he added, demanding that neither Stalin nor Pinarayi should attend the devotees’ summit.

Meanwhile, Stalin has already informed Pinarayi Vijayan that he will not be able to attend the event due to prior commitments. However, two of his ministers will attend the summit on his behalf.

Senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan said that a secular government has no role in the administration of the Sabarimala temple. 

The Congress has also opposed the LDF government’s decision to organise the Ayyappa devotees’ summit. Addressing the Assembly on Monday, Opposition Leader VD Satheesan asked when had the CPM developed such affection towards the hill-top shrine of Lord Ayyappa.

“In the name of Sabarimala, they are carrying out appeasement of majority communalism. They have been doing this since their loss in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections,” Satheesan told reporters.