UDF Yet to Decide on Participation in Global Ayyappa Sangamam: VD Satheesan
Thiruvananthapuram: Recently Opposition leader VD Satheesan refrained from giving a clear response on whether the United Democratic Front (UDF) would participate in the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam being organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
Satheesan said the government must first explain what concrete steps it had taken for Sabarimala’s development over the past nine years. “If the government gives a clear reply on this, we will be able to clarify our stand on participating in the event,” he told reporters, adding that the UDF would not boycott the Sangamam outright.
Describing the Sangamam as “political hypocrisy by the CPI(M),” Satheesan alleged that the programme was aimed at reaping political benefits. “It was the CPI(M) that complicated the Sabarimala issue. The government itself is organising the event in the name of the Devaswom Board. It is no coincidence that such a programme is being held just months before the elections,” he said.
He also demanded to know whether the government would withdraw the affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court and the cases registered against devotees during the 2018 protests.
Satheesan further rejected TDB president P.S. Prasanth’s allegation that he had refused to meet him during the invitation process. “I was having lunch at the time when the invitation letter was delivered to my office. To say I refused to meet is discourteous. I always allow visitors to meet me when I am at home. In fact, I only learned later from my office that he had come. There was no situation in which I avoided meeting the Devaswom Board president,” Satheesan clarified.
Meanwhile, Satheesan announced that the UDF would boycott the government’s Vikasana Sadassu (development seminars), alleging that they were being used as a platform for political propaganda. “The government’s claim that there is no inflation does not match reality. It has not taken any measures to control price rise,” he said.