BJP’s K. Surendran demands disclosure of V.D. Satheesan’s ‘sponsors’, flays UDF govt over Sabarimala preparations

BJP national secretary K. Surendran has demanded that Keralam Chief Minister V.D Satheesan disclose the identities of those allegedly “sponsoring” his travel in chartered flights.

Speaking to the media in Kasaragod, Mr. Surendran said that if the sponsors could not be named, it would raise questions about whether they had any tainted backgrounds. He also questioned whether the sponsorships involved “any expectation of reciprocal favours.”

He alleged that the United Democratic Front was “acting out of frustration” after being out of power for 10 years and was attempting to “accomplish in three months what the Pinarayi Vijayan government had done over the past decade.”

Mr. Surendran also questioned the expenses of Ministers travelling abroad at the expense of friends, saying the identities of those footing the bills should be disclosed.

He asked whether Minister K.M. Shaji’s reported use of friends’ luxury car was also linked to reciprocal favours. He sarcastically said the Minister and UDF leaders were “behaving like children who had suddenly found a pile of jackfruit.”

Slams Sabarimala preparations

Mr. Surendran also criticised the government over preparations for the coming Sabarimala pilgrimage season, alleging a lack of experience in handling the arrangements. He said only 50 days remained before the mandalam season and claimed that there had been little progress in putting basic facilities in place.

He accused Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan of merely making statements and shifting the blame to the Travancore Devaswom Board president instead of taking responsibility.

Mr. Surendran alleged that the pilgrimage would be disrupted this season and that sufficient quantities of Aravana could not be prepared within the available time. He also pointed to concerns over incomplete construction works and the availability of Aravana.

Describing the Minister as “behaving like a chicken let loose in the moonlight” while blaming the TDB, Mr. Surendran alleged that the former was evading his responsibilities.