V Muraleedharan | Photo: Sabu Scaria/ Mathrubhumi
Dubai: Minister of State for External Affairs and BJP’s lone union minister from Kerala V Muraleedharan has delinked mythical king Mahabali from Onam and has batted for mythical character Vamana’s hegemony.
“Mahabali was a king who ruled on the banks of Narmada river. There is no evidence that he ruled Kerala,” he claimed.
Muraleedharan was addressing the audience at Indian Consulate in Dubai on Friday as part of Onam celebrations.
Meanwhile, he elaborated on Vamana’s connection to Onam. “The legend makes it clear that Vamana was giving salvation to Mahabali,” he said. Bhagavatam clearly points out that, he added.
He subtly took a dig and said that, “Mahabali was a righteous king. The notion that all good things come from Kerala led Malayali to adopt Mahabali.”
It may be noted that BJP leaders, including Home minister Amit Shah, were in the limelight with Onam’s Vamanajayanti narrative. Far right groups have been clamouring on social media for Vamana’s hegemony during Onam and the union minister’s statement comes in this context.