Pathanamthitta: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s stubbornness created controversy in the case relating to the women entry into the famous Sabarimala shrine during the last mandala season, said Travancore dewaswom Board former president A Padmakumar.
Padmakumar said that immediately after the Supreme court order on women entry, he had approached the chief minister and apprised him of the developments. Since there are a large number of consequences to be faced, Padmakunar had requested the government not to take a decision in haste during the mandala season. Padmakumar said this at the discussion held at the CPM Pathanamthitta district secretariat.
He had also directed that if possible, women entry could be thought of only during the monthly pooja season. By abiding to this, clashes could be avoided and this was promised by a few. But the chief minister ruled out all these options.
The allegations of Padmakumar has been discussed at the party level. A section of the party has mooted disciplinary action against Padmakumar.
Padmakumar also added that he lost the Dewaswom president post as he was not a man from Kannur and was not given any extension. He was isolated within the party and faced threats too.
There was no support from the part of the government. The consideration given to former BJP leader O K Vasu, whose term as Malabar Devaswom Board president was extended, had not been shown to me. State secretariat members K N Balagopal and K J Thomas attended the meet.
