Thiruvananthapuram: Union Minister Suresh Gopi initially avoided responding to a question on whether he would attend the Global Ayyappa Summit. Later, he said, “I am a minister.” He made this response while attending a programme organised by Seva Bharati at the Medical College.

The question arose against the backdrop of widespread criticism by the BJP against the state government–controlled Ayyappa Summit.

Recently, Devaswom Board president PS Prasanth had personally visited Suresh Gopi’s residence to invite him to the Global Ayyappa Summit. The organisers had earlier announced that invitations would be extended to the two Union Ministers from Kerala, along with four other ministers.