He demanded that Centre take over the shrine’s management if the state was incapable of running it efficiently. Kottayam: BJP state general secretary Anoop Antony on Tuesday alleged that UDF govt’s negligence over Sabarimala affairs surpassed that of the previous LDF govt.
He alleged Satheesan’s announcement of a Rs 1,000-crore plan to replicate Tirupati model at Sabarimala, even as govt struggled to provide uninterrupted power supply in the state, amounted to cheating people.
Speaking to reporters in Pathanamthitta, Antony said the ongoing dispute between devaswom minister and devaswom board president was reflected in issues such as aravana shortage, with Ayyappa devotees bearing the brunt of the standoff. He said V D Satheesan govt had assumed office based on major promises regarding Sabarimala, including infrastructure development, enhanced pilgrim facilities and withdrawal of cases filed by the previous LDF govt against devotees who participated in Namajapa agitation against the entry of young women. Govt hadn’t implemented any of the promises and instead only worsened the situation, according to him. He said Sabarimala was “falling victim” to the failures of both Left- and Right-led govts. On Sabarimala rail project, Antony said Centre was ready to fulfil its responsibilities, but successive state govts’ lack of interest led to the project stalling.
He demanded that if the state govt couldn’t efficiently manage development at Sabarimala, which receives lakhs of pilgrims, it should hand over the administration to Centre. He cited central govt’s role in developing temples such as Kashi and Ujjain in coordination with the respective state govts. Antony dismissed the devaswom board president’s explanation that the aravana shortage was linked to the closure of the payasam plant for renovation, saying reserve stock should have been ensured beforehand. The current UDF govt’s handling of Sabarimala affairs resembled that of LDF govt, with no real change despite a change in govt, he alleged.