Union Home Minister Amit Shah targeted the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led left government in Kerala over the Sabarimala gold theft case and said a neutral investigation agency should probe the matter. Shah's comments come as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a case over the loss of gold from the hill shrine.
Addressing the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) representatives of local bodies in Kerala, the Union home minister charged those who failed to protect the properties of Sabarimala cannot safeguard the faith of the people. Shah asserted "only the BJP can safeguard the faith of believers in Kerala."
The Union home minister said the Sabarimala gold theft was a matter of concern for devotees across the country, not just people in Kerala. Shah said he had seen the First Information Report (FIR) in the case and alleged that the manner in which it was drafted made it clear that it was aimed at protecting the accused.
Also read
- From temple visit to strategy meetings: Amit Shah's packed itinerary to boost BJP in Kerala
- Kerala: Expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil arrested in rape case
- Will Sabarimala gold theft case cost CPI(M) the Kerala assembly polls?
- Trinamool Congress MPs cry foul over police treatment during Delhi protests against Amit Shah
The Union minister alleged two leaders related to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) were under suspicion in the case. He also charged that evidence related to a few Congress leaders has also emerged. "I demand that the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hand over the probe to a neutral investigation agency. The BJP will carry out protests and door-to-door awareness campaigns. This is democracy, Vijayan, and you must order a neutral agency probe," Shah said.
Targeting both fronts in Kerala, the BJP leader said, "While communism is over worldwide, across India, the Congress is finished." Claiming only a BJP government can lead the state in the path of development, Shah said, "Securing a BJP victory in Kerala is a formidable challenge. Our final goal is to form government in Kerala under the lotus symbol and bring a BJP chief minister."
