CM’s ‘Fake Devotion’ at Ayyappa Sangamam an Election Stunt: Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan

Kothamangalam, September 20, 2025 — Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan today launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing him of feigning devotion to Lord Ayyappa for political gain ahead of upcoming elections. Speaking to the media here, Satheesan claimed the Chief Minister’s speech at the Ayyappa Sangamam was an act of “hypocrisy” and a desperate attempt to deceive devotees.

“The Chief Minister spoke like a pseudo-devotee,” Satheesan said. “He is now wearing a garb of devotion that is completely unsuited to him, with an eye on the local and state elections.”

The Opposition Leader recalled the Pinarayi government’s actions at Sabarimala, which he said involved “cruel acts” using the police to facilitate the violation of customs. He challenged the Chief Minister to explain his actions and questioned why the government was now promoting a Master Plan for Sabarimala after failing to carry out any development work for the past nine and a half years.

“Will the government withdraw its affidavit in the Supreme Court? Will it drop the cases filed against devotees?” Satheesan demanded, adding that the Ayyappa Sangamam was a reminder of the government’s past actions and confirmed that its newfound piety was merely a political gimmick.

Satheesan also criticized the government’s financial neglect, stating that ₹82 lakh in dues to Sabarimala and 50% of the funds for the Sabarimala Sanitation Society had not been paid for three years. He mocked the Ayyappa Sangamam’s promotional boards, which he said featured pictures of Pinarayi Vijayan and Minister V.N. Vasavan but not Lord Ayyappa. The Opposition Leader also noted the Devaswom Board President was given a minor role on the “food committee,” a move he called an insult to devotees.

In a separate response to comments by CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan, Satheesan accused him of having a double standard on cybercrime. He claimed that Govindan had a history of initiating slander campaigns, citing the case of Anthoor Sajan, where Govindan allegedly spread false rumors about the victim’s wife to protect the then-municipal chairperson.

Satheesan highlighted the hypocrisy of the ruling party, which he said had ignored cyberattacks against Congress leaders and female journalists for months but acted swiftly to register a case within 24 hours when one of their own was targeted. He also suggested the recent scandal involving a CPI(M) MLA was first leaked by a YouTube channel connected to a former private secretary of V.S. Achuthanandan, implying the issue was rooted in internal party conflicts. “People are watching this double standard,” Satheesan concluded.