T’puram: Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan criticized devaswom minister K Muraleedharan’s statement that state govt was unable to take decisions on administrative and ritual matters related to Sabarimala due to court interventions. He said the minister’s remarks amounted to a challenge to constitutional institutions and the legal system.He said Muraleedharan’s statement was untimely and inappropriate. Vijayan said those who had welcomed court-monitored probes in devaswom matters while in opposition were changing their stand after their front assumed office. He further alleged that court supervision was welcomed when convenient and opposed otherwise.Vijayan alleged that ever since UDF govt assumed office, there had been planned attempts to derail the probe in Sabarimala gold heist case. He said LDF will oppose any attempt to weaken the gold heist case and urged the people to remain vigilant. An SIT appointed by the high court is investigating the case, he said.Vijayan also alleged that UDF govt had created the post of special govt pleader for the devaswom board and appointed the defence counsel in the gold heist case to that post. Govt had to withdraw it amid widespread protests, he added.
