Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 21 (IANS) From Kalluvathukal to Sabarimala, veteran CPI-M legislator Kadakampally Surendran’s long public life has once again come under scrutiny, as the former Devaswom Minister on Wednesday offered clarifications on his association with Sabarimala gold heist case prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti.

Interacting with the media here, Surendran said he had visited Potti’s house in 2017 only to attend a child’s ceremonial function and denied any inappropriate relationship.

He maintained that he had known Potti merely as a fellow devotee of Lord Ayyappa and that he had already informed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) about the nature of the acquaintance, both in his official capacity as minister and in a personal context.

Surendran said the visit then was made with police escort and under compulsion, and categorically denied accepting any gifts or donations from Potti.

“I did not receive any contribution from him, nor did he offer one,” he said, adding that the SIT had not formally communicated to him any statement made by Potti.

However, Surendran declined to respond to questions regarding an alleged meeting in Bengaluru or photographs purportedly showing him with the accused.

Potti, in his statement to the SIT, had claimed that he had known Surendran since 2017 and that the CPI(M) leader had visited his residence—an assertion that has sparked political attention amid the widening probe.

A prominent CPI-M leader from the state capital, the 71-year-old Surendran has been in public life since 1977, beginning his political career as a local panchayat member.

He later served on the District Council before winning his first Assembly election from Kazhakootam in 1996.

After losing the 2006 polls, he staged a comeback with consecutive victories from the same constituency in 2016 and 2021.

During the first Pinarayi Vijayan government, Surendran held the sensitive Devaswom and Tourism portfolios.

Yet, his career has seen earlier turbulence. His name had surfaced in a diary allegedly maintained by Manichan, the prime accused in the 2000 Kalluvathukal hooch tragedy, which left 31 dead, triggering a difficult phase for both him and the party.

Though he initially faced political heat, Surendran eventually emerged unscathed.

As the Sabarimala gold heist investigation intensifies, Surendran’s explanations—and his past—are once again being closely examined, underscoring how unresolved shadows from Kalluvathukal continue to echo in Kerala’s contemporary political discourse.

Incidentally, both the Congress and the BJP — ever since the Sabarimala gold heist case surfaced — have been going hammer and tongs against Surendran, and he has filed a defamation case against Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan in the same matter, which is presently before the courts.

–IANS

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