Devaswom Board's actions during pooram suspicious

THE Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) has told the Kerala High Court that certain actions of the Thiruvambadi Devaswom during the Thrissur pooram had given rise to suspicions that they were aimed at aiding certain political parties to influence the Lok Sabha polls.

- P RAMDAS

Giving credence to the CPI's claim of a concerted effort to disrupt the pooram, the CDB, in a report submitted to the HC, said a series of incidents that occurred during a one-year period ahead of the event supported the allegation of a conspiracy to undermine the festival.

"The Thiruvambadi Devaswom's dubious actions included disrupting the pooram by involving in discussions individuals who had no connection to it or the festival. The involvement of BJP leaders B Gopalakrishnan and district chief K K Anishkumar and RSS leader from Kannur Valsan Thillankeri has further strengthened these suspicions," the report said.

Adding to the controversy, Suresh Gopi, who was then BJP's candidate from Thrissur, intervened in the issue.