THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As Kerala’s political temperature rises over the Sabarimala gold heist probe, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's studded silence on the issue has become a major debating point in the state.
With two of his long-time loyalists — former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Presidents A. Padmakumar and N. Vasu — now jailed following arrests by the High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team, the Chief Minister has continued his studied non-engagement, refusing to face the media or offer any clarification.
Padmakumar, a former legislator and once a powerful confidant of Vijayan, was Board President when the gold-plated coverings at the sacred Sabarimala temple were reportedly removed and taken for re-plating, allegedly violating all procedures.