Thiruvananthapuram: The appointment of veteran bureaucrat K Jayakumar as the new president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Saturday has come amid mounting unease in Kerala’s ruling CPI(M), as the Sabarimala gold heist investigation casts a shadow over the temple administration.

Jayakumar, who succeeds CPI(M) member P S Prasanth, takes charge at a time of heightened scrutiny following the arrest of five persons, including former TDB president and ex-Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu — a long-time confidant of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Vasu’s detention earlier this week has unsettled the ruling establishment, with sources admitting that the CPI(M) leadership is wary as the Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the Kerala High Court, continues its probe independently of the Chief Minister’s Office.

Jayakumar, known for his administrative acumen, is expected to face pressure from CPI(M)-backed unions that hold significant sway in the TDB. Observers say the new president will be closely watched for how he manages the SIT probe and the political turbulence surrounding Sabarimala’s governance.

The development has also emboldened the BJP, which has renewed its demands for reforming Sabarimala’s management structure. Union Minister of State for Tourism and Ayyappa devotee Suresh Gopi has called for an overhaul of the temple’s governance model, suggesting an arrangement similar to Ayodhya’s temple board.

His remarks come amid signals from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah that potential changes in temple administration could be considered.

For the ruling CPI(M), the situation poses a significant political test. The gold heist — which took place during Vijayan’s term of near-unchallenged power — is now being used by the opposition as leverage to demand central oversight and structural reform of the temple’s management.

As Jayakumar assumes office, the TDB finds itself at the centre of a political storm that shows no signs of abating.

With inputs from IANS