Opposition demands Devaswom Minister quit

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 22 (UNI) The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala today said State Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran should quit his office owing responsibly for not providing facilities to Ayyappa devotees during the ongoing Madalam-Makaravilakku festival.

Talking to reporters after the UDF meeting here, Convener P P Thankachan also suggested that the Government should dismiss the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which was governing the Hill shrine. The UDF leaders would meet Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and appraise him about the troubles faced by Ayyappa devotees, he added.

They have no adequate drinking water and toilet facilities, he alleged.

Stating that this was for the first time in the history of Sabarimala, pilgrims were facing such hardships during the festival, he said none of the top officials were there in the Sannidhanam to supervise the facilities.

UNI