The Congress in the State have strongly reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claims about Sabarimala during his one-day visit to the State, terming it as a vindication of the United Democratic Front’s and the party’s stand that the BJP and the CPI(M) had political motives in triggering communal polarisation by using the women’s entry issue.
Congress general secretary Oommen Chandy, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, and KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran led the voice of the Congress and the UDF in hitting back at Mr. Modi, who claimed at a party function on Tuesday that only the BJP had taken a stand to protect the tradition and cultural values of Kerala.
The three leaders in separate reactions said the UDF had taken a consistent stand right from the beginning when the women’s entry case came up before the Supreme Court, favouring protection of temple traditions, belief and faith.
Talking to mediapersons here on Wednesday, Mr. Chandy said it was the RSS-BJP leadership which had taken an opportunistic stand. The Chief Minister, instead of seeking the path of consensus, had sought to hang on the specious argument that the government was committed to implementing the Supreme Court verdict. Mr. Chennithala listed out in detail the stand the UDF had taken on this issue and how the Congress leaders had secured the clearance of the party high command to pursue a different line in the State. “Mr. Modi has made tall claims. The stand taken by the UDF and the Congress will be soon vindicated,” he said.
