Kerala Assembly Turmoil: Gold-Plating Scandal Rocks Sabarimala

The Congress-led UDF disrupted the Kerala assembly for four days, protesting alleged gold-plating irregularities at Sabarimala's Lord Ayyappa shrine. Accusations include selling original idols and calls for ministerial resignations. Tensions rose as opposition clashed with assembly staff over body-shaming remarks allegedly made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The Kerala assembly has been engulfed in chaos, with the Congress-led UDF halting proceedings for four consecutive days over allegations of irregularities in the gold-plating of idols at the Sabarimala temple.

Opposition Leader V D Satheesan demanded accountability, accusing the government of selling original idols and criticizing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for body-shaming remarks against an opposition MLA.

The turmoil escalated into physical confrontations and banner protests, intensifying calls for the resignation of state Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan and the dissolution of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

(With inputs from agencies.)