THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The game of political one-upmanship currently on between LDF regime and the UDF-appointed chairman of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), Prayar Gopalakrishnan, intensified on Monday with the devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran coming out with allegations against him.
Kadakampally Surendran said Prayar Gopalakrishnan, who had accused the chief minister of commercialising a place of worship through his suggestion of introducing ticketed darshans in Sabarimala, had himself approached the state government with a proposal for priced darshan package for NRI devotees.
“The TDB president who was critical of the CM had submitted a proposal before the government to introduce dollar 25 ticket for NRIs, who would be given facility for hassle-free darshan in a special queue at the sannidhanam,'' said Kadakamapally Surendran.
The TDB president also wanted to set up special rooms for the VVIPs, Surendran said. The proposal also suggested that virtual queue system, currently managed by the state police, should be gradually be brought under their control of the TDB.
Kadakampally said that Gopalakrishnan has no right to criticise the chief minister's suggestion and it was the decision of the government which would be final. The government has decided not to be part of any controversy or a direct fight with the TDB.
“The only aim before the govern ment now is to ensure a safe pilgrimage season. Everything else comes after that. We will go ahead with the plan for developing the infrastructural facilities required for this,'' said the minister.
However, the Congress is of the view that the LDF government is trying to politicise TDB, since the president is a nominee of the Congress. KPCC president V M Sudheeran said the allegations against the TDB president were politically driven.
Decisions on issues like entry of women into Sabarimala and keeping the hill shrine open on all days should be taken in consultaton with the devotees, Sudheeran said.
Former chief minister Oommen Chandy said that the government should not intervene in any issues concerning Sabarimala. “The government has no role in intervening in the issues of the believers. People who are qualified for this will take an appropriate decision,'' said Oommen Chandy .
Meanwhile, the government has made it clear it will not seek the resignation of the TDB president, who had stated that he was willing to resign if the government insists. “The president is not an expert in commenting on rituals of Sabarimala. There are other people whose opinion should be valued. The TDB president is a political nominee,“ said the devaswom minister.
It is learnt that the LDF is seriously thinking of forming an expert committee to study into the pros and cons of introducing a ticketed system for darshan and opening the temple on all days.
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