Satheesan alleges CPM-BJP alliance, cites Yogi Adityanath's message during Ayyappa Sangamam

Opposition leader V D Satheesan on Tuesday accused the ruling CPM of having an "unholy alliance" with the BJP and cited a message from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which was read out at the recent Global Ayyappa Sangamam, as the latest example of this partnership.

Continuing to criticise Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the Sangamam held in Pampa, he alleged that the CM tried to showcase a "pseudo devotion" during the event. "By showing pseudo devotion... by creating an impression of devotion, he tried to do penance for his wrong deeds at Sabarimala years ago," the Congress leader alleged.

He sought to know what message the CM conveyed through his action. The LoP was apparently referring to the stand taken by the Vijayan government to implement an apex court verdict permitting all women, cutting across age barriers, at the Sabarimala Temple in 2018.

He also questioned the LDF's claim that the Sangamam was organised to discuss the Sabarimala master plan and the overall development of the hill shrine.

Taking a dig at the state government, the Congress leader said they were discussing the master plan in the final year of the government, just before the local body and Assembly elections. "They have done nothing for Sabarimala all these nine years. No development has been done there. These all show their pseudo nature and fake devotion," he added.

Further criticising the Vijayan government, Satheesan said everything had been clear to everyone when the message of Yogi was read out at the venue of the Ayyappa Samgamam, organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). "The CPM in Kerala has an unholy alliance with the BJP. The message from Yogi Adityanath is the latest example of this," he said, adding that people of the state have common sense to understand all these.

Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan had read out at the Global Ayyappa Sangam a message sent by UP CM Yogi Adityanath expressing hope that the conclave would achieve its objectives.

In his message, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister had thanked Vasavan for inviting him to the event, held as part of the Travancore Devaswom Board's 75th anniversary celebrations, and said that Lord Ayyappa was the "divine protector" of 'dharma'.