Thiruvananthapuram: Amidst the ongoing controversy over extravagant spending on the ‘Global Ayyappa Sangamam’, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government is planning another grand event—a ‘Mathamaithri Sangamam’ (Interfaith Meet)—with a budget exceeding ₹2 crore. The move is being seen as part of a pre-election public outreach strategy ahead of the local body and assembly polls.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reportedly instructed Cultural Department Director Divya S. Iyer to organize the conclave, which will be held in Ernakulam and Kozhikode. An official government order regarding the expenditure is expected to be released soon. This new plan follows a massive political row over the expenses of the recently concluded Ayyappa conclave.
While the government claimed the Ayyappa event was funded by sponsors, documents revealed that the Devaswom Board spent lakhs from its own funds. This included payments for lodging delegates in luxury hotels and resorts in Kumarakom, with advance payments running into several lakhs (including single payments of ₹8.31 lakh and ₹3.39 lakh). The revelations contradicted the government’s narrative and led to allegations of misusing temple funds for a PR exercise.
Critics now allege that the proposed Interfaith Meet is a continuation of this pattern, using significant public funds to host grand events with the political goal of securing a third consecutive term in power.
