Flag mast installation: Govindan targets UDF

Kozhikode: CPM state secretary M V Govindan on Tuesday alleged that large-scale irregularities and misappropriation took place during the installation of the new flag mast at the Sabarimala temple in 2017. He claimed that cash and gold were widely collected for the project when the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) was under a UDF-appointed administration. Govindan told reporters in Malappuram that the UDF govt-appointed TDB members bear primary responsibility for the project and demanded that the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) probe should bring all those involved in the alleged irregularities to book."The high court has now ordered a VACB inquiry, which confirms that there was large-scale theft in connection with the installation of the new flag mast at Sabarimala. Although an Andhra Pradesh–based firm had sponsored the project, substantial amounts of money were collected for the work without issuing receipts," Govindan said.He further claimed that cash running into crores of rupees and nearly 10kg of gold were collected but the HC has observed that there are no proper records of these collections.Govindan pointed out that the alleged irregularities occurred when the devaswom board was led by Congress leaders Prayar Gopalakrishnan and Ajay Tharayil. He also said that the vajivahanam mounted atop the replaced flag mast should not have been handed over to the tanthri and ought to have remained in the custody of TDB.Meanwhile, opposition leader V D Satheesan told reporters in Wayanad that HC had earlier appreciated the replacement of the flagmast at Sabarimala. Satheesan said that it was in the presence of the high court-appointed advocate commissioner that the works were carried out and the high court had commended the advocate commissioner and the works carried out at the Sabarimala temple.Satheesan alleged that there were agents of the CPM and the CM's office in the SIT. While SIT's questioning of former devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran was kept under wraps for four days, the media were informed about the recording of statement from UDF convenor Adoor Prakash.