Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader VD Satheesan on Wednesday alleged that Unnikrishnan Potty, who is at the centre of the Sabarimala gold-plate scandal, is a close aide of former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.

Speaking to the media, Satheesan claimed that the gold-plated panels of the Dwarapalaka idols in front of the Sabarimala temple’s sanctum sanctorum, which were removed in 2019 for replating, never reached the Chennai-based company assigned for the work. "Only a similar mould was sent to the company. The original panels were sold," he alleged.

He also said that it was the High Court which observed that the panels had been sold. "It is for the investigation team to reveal to whom the panels were sold," Satheesan added. Potty was the sponsor of the work to replate the gold-coated copper panels.

Satheesan further said that Kadakampally was aware of the deal involving Potty and accused the Devaswom Board of attempting to cover up the scandal despite knowing the facts. "Why has no criminal case been registered against Potty?" he asked, holding Kadakampally equally responsible for the issue.

When asked about the rehabilitation efforts for the Wayanad landslide victims, Satheesan said he did not wish to bring politics into the issue. “The Congress party, along with the Muslim League, has constructed around 300 houses for the victims," he said.

He added that the opposition would put pressure on the government if it was slow to respond to the victims’ needs. Satheesan also said the opposition would support any measures introduced by the government for the landslide victims, reiterating that he did not want to view the matter politically.