THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Speculation is mounting in Kerala’s political circles regarding the future of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President P.S. Prasanth amidst the controversy surrounding the Sabarimala gold panel damage.
The air of uncertainty thickened after Minister V.N. Vasavan informed the Legislative Assembly that Prasanth’s term is set to conclude on November 13 and that there was currently no answer on whether it would be extended.
The gold panel row, coupled with the Minister’s vague reply on the financial details of the recent Global Ayyappa Sangamam, has intensified the mystery. Minister Vasavan was responding to a question raised by MLA A.P. Anil Kumar on October 6.
Term End and Financial Ambiguity
Prasanth assumed office as the TDB President on November 14, 2023. The administrative body comprises Prasanth and two other members. The Assembly was also informed that the TDB committee members participated in the Global Ayyappa Sangamam not as representatives, but as organizers.
The lack of clarity deepened when Minister Vasavan failed to provide specific figures on the amount collected or spent under sponsorship for the Global Ayyappa Sangamam. He stated that steps are being taken to collect the promised sponsorship funds from various institutions, including Dhanalakshmi Bank and Kerala Bank.
Political observers are keenly watching whether Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will distance himself from Prasanth in light of these controversies. Kerala awaits to see what the political fate of the TDB President will be after November 13.
