By R. Rakendu

CPM General Secretary, M. A. Baby has rejected the statement of SNDP (Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana) Yogam General Secretary, Vellappally . Natesan that Pinarayi Vijayan, the Communist Chief Minister of Kerala is an Ayyappa devotee. “It is Vellappally Natesan’s personal opinion and observation alone” said M. A. Baby. He added that he is one of the people who know firsthand how Pinarayi Vijayan upholds the communist values ​​in his own thoughts and beliefs. 

While speaking to the media in Pampa, Vellappally Natesan said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is an Ayyappa devotee. He said that although communists profess atheism, the majority of them, including the Chief Minister, are devotees. “Although they profess atheism for the sake of ideals, 90 per cent of those who come to see Ayyappa are Marxist communists,” he said. Vellappally said, “All of them have devotion in their hearts. Although they used to say something, it is not like that now. Pinarayi has come to Sabarimala Sannidanam twice to pray to Lord Ayyappa.” Vellappally asked if he would come if he was not a devotee. 

“What Vellappally said is seen only as his personal remark. It is important to understand how successful the Ayyappa Sangam was. The Devaswom Board made a very timely intervention. A note was written in the Hindu daily detailing this. Although the translation of this note was somewhat incorrect, it came across as patriotic,” stated Baby.

 During his speech, M. A. Baby alleged that there is financial chaos in Kerala’s BJP. According to him, the suicide of a councillor in Thiruvananthapuram is proof of this. He went on to say that even those belonging to responsible political parties are committing major financial irregularities. M. A. Baby also alleged that parties like the BJP and Congress are not ready to intervene in the problem and take strong action if those belonging to the parties are involved in financial irregularities.