Kerala’s political landscape simmered with tension Thursday as bail for Sabarimala gold theft mastermind Unnikrishnan Potti fueled chaos in the state assembly for the fourth straight day. Fresh out of jail, Potti’s release via court order has opposition forces crying foul, suspending legislative business until February 23.
The SIT chargesheet lists Potti as Accused No. 1 among 13 suspects in dual FIRs over the pilferage of temple donations. Now the fourth to secure bail, his freedom spotlights mounting accusations against the ruling dispensation for allegedly protecting the powerful.
Congress-led opposition members paralyzed the house with chants, pressing for an unbiased inquiry amid whispers of political nexus. They claim the case’s unfolding exposes systemic rot, eroding faith in governance.
In robust defense, treasury bench stalwarts invoked Kerala High Court’s prior remarks dismissing bail as a non-issue. ‘Bail isn’t absolution; justice will prevail,’ they echoed, slamming rivals for distorting facts to incite unrest. The SIT, they stressed, marches on per due process.
Speaker A.N. Shamseer lamented the opposition’s boycott of debate opportunities offered by a willing government. Senior Congressman Ramesh Chennithala, however, remained defiant: ‘Potti’s exit proves our worst fears—the probe is being throttled. We’ll fight on as others follow suit.’
With the Enforcement Directorate now probing parallels, this scandal over diverted holy gold threatens to define pre-election narratives. As rhetoric hardens and probes deepen, Kerala watches a bitter partisan showdown unfold.