The controversy over the Global Ayyappa Meet has intensified with Kerala Congress chief Sunny Joseph demanding an urgent high court inquiry into widespread corruption allegations. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, Joseph lambasted the CPI-M-led government for exploiting Sabarimala resources for personal gain.
A damning report by the Travancore Devaswom Board’s special commissioner highlighted violations of court orders, lack of financial transparency, and improper contract allocations. The event proceeded without proper tenders, with key works assigned to an event management firm linked to a cooperative society at inflated costs.
Joseph exposed fictitious sponsorships and shoddy accounting practices. ‘No real accounts, just fabricated numbers. The Devaswom Department must name these so-called sponsors,’ he insisted. Discrepancies in cultural event spending, missing GST invoices, and absent supporting bills could lead to heavy financial blows for the board.
He connected the dots to CPI-M’s supposed hidden agenda against Sabarimala, citing the unwithdrawn Supreme Court affidavit disrespecting traditions and the failure to pursue gold thieves. ‘Aid is flowing to those who pilfered Lord Ayyappa’s gold without remorse, while recovery efforts are sidelined for bailing out accused,’ Joseph alleged.
Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan faced sharp criticism for his defensive posture in the assembly, seen as safeguarding the looters. Joseph emphasized that public trust in Sabarimala can only be rebuilt through a thorough, court-overseen investigation into these malpractices.