THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai, who will embark on a rath yatra from Madhur temple in Kasargod to Sabarimala from November 8 to 13, will meet the heads of Muslim and Christian communities before the journey.
“This yatra is for the right of believers to protect their customs and rituals and I’m closely associated with the leaders of both the Christian and Muslim communities and will seek their blessings before the yatra,” he said.
Pillai is close to various religious leaders and it was during his stint as BJP state president in 2004 that the NDA won the Muvattupuzha Lok Sabha seat from a predominantly Christian constituency when P C Thomas scraped through by defeating both the LDF and UDF candidates.
This was widely noticed as the NDA had never won a single Assembly seat from Kerala and no political pundit had expected the alliance to finish even second, let alone winning. Pillai’s political nous and his close rapport with religious heads were touted as the reasons for the victory.
Pillai is close to leaders of all Christian denominations, including Catholic, Jacobite, Orthodox and Marthoma, as well as the Pentecostal Church.
Former National Minorities Commission member John Joseph, who is an important office-bearer of the Indian Pentecostal Church, met BJP national president Amit Shah in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday thanks to Pillai’s efforts. It is to be noted that the Pentecostal Church has significant presence in areas around Sabrimala and in Pathanamthitta district.“Yes, I met Amit Shah and we discussed social and political issues. I can’t reveal more on as to what transpired,” said Joseph.
Pillai is also close to Kanthapuram, Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation and Mujahid groups and is always a presence in major programmes of these organisations and this can be an added advantage. “There is nothing wrong in meeting them and I’m seeking their blessings as a true devotee of Lord Ayyappa and they are also believers and we will sync together,” he said.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had alleged that the BJP is trying to divide the state along communal lines over the Sabarimala issue and it will be interesting to note as to how Pillai’s move will be taken politically.