Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s ruling LDF has escalated the Sabarimala gold controversy by alleging links to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, aiming to put the opposition UDF on the defensive amid ongoing investigations into missing temple gold. According to reports, the fresh political salvo comes as the Kerala High Court-monitored SIT probe reveals expanded irregularities beyond Dwarapalaka idols, intensifying statewide outrage.
The scandal erupted last year when a vigilance report flagged 4.54 kg of gold missing from gold-plated Dwarapalaka idols re-plated in 2019, prompting the high court to order a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. Recent SIT findings disclose gold shortages from additional artifacts, including sanctum sanctorum door frames, Prabha Mandalam, and Vyali Ro
opam, with chemicals used to separate gold at a Chennai firm now held by a Bellary jeweler. Ten arrests include sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty, jeweler Govardhan Roddam, and firm owner Pankaj Bhandari; the court seeks custody for deeper questioning.
LDF leaders claim historical Congress ties to temple gold donors, specifically referencing Sonia Gandhi’s purported family connections to past contributions, including 1999 cladding funded by Vijay Mallya — now a fugitive — under UDF influence. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s allies have accused Congress of shielding mismanagement during earlier regimes, demanding transparency on political funding from recovered assets. Opposition leader VD Satheesan has dismissed the allegations as “diversionary tactics,” countering that LDF’s Devaswom Board oversight failed despite court warnings.
Assembly protests and BJP demands for minister VN Vasavan’s resignation have paralyzed proceedings, with the court slamming “planned theft” and questioning Travancore Devaswom Board’s lapses. The row risks overshadowing the 2025-26 pilgrimage season, eroding devotee trust.
LDF’s counteroffensive seeks to flip the narrative ahead of local polls