THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Tourism, Suresh Gopi, on Thursday provided details surrounding a recent incident at the Thrissur Pooram festival.
The minister, facing controversy over his use of an ambulance to reach the festival venue after learning that the event had allegedly been disrupted, demanded a CBI investigation to uncover the truth.
While acknowledging that he reached the site in an ambulance, Gopi explained that he initially arrived near the festival venue by car, which was then attacked by “goondas” from rival political parties. The minister claimed that he was rescued by local youths, who then transported him to the site in an ambulance that had been stationed there for festival emergencies.
"I do not need to explain it further. Let the CBI come and investigate. Do they have the courage to bring the CBI? Their entire politics will go up in flames if it happens. You want the truth to come out, bring the CBI," Gopi asserted.
The minister further alleged that the controversy was being stirred up as a diversion from financial scandals, including the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam.
The Thrissur Pooram row has sparked a political debate within the state, with Chief Minister Vijayan stating that the Pooram rituals were not disrupted. However, Congress and the Left ally CPI have suggested that the Pooram was purportedly disturbed to bolster BJP's chances in the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat by appealing to Hindu sentiment.
This year’s Thrissur Pooram festival experienced an unprecedented change when, following police interventions, the display of fireworks – typically a highlight scheduled for the early hours – was postponed to the following day and held in broad daylight. The shift disappointed festival-goers and marked a break from tradition.
Earlier, Gopi had denied claims, including from some BJP leaders, that he arrived at the festival in an ambulance.