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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union home minister Amit Shah demanded Sunday Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s resignation and warned of statewide BJP protests unless a “neutral probe” is ordered into an alleged gold heist linked to Sabarimala hill shrine. “It is time for CM Pinarayi Vijayan to go, as LDF could not safeguard Sabarimala and also could not bring development to the state,” Shah said, addressing party workers at a felicitation function for BJP winners in local body polls in Thiruvananthapuram. He said the FIR in the case was “designed to protect the real culprits” and questioned how justice could be ensured “when ministers are involved”. The alleged gold heist linked to Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district has triggered political accusations, with BJP claiming a cover-up and seeking a probe independent of Kerala police. Left Democratic Front (LDF) govt denies wrongdoing. According to the state-appointed SIT, gold embedded in sacred structures was allegedly stripped, diverted and converted in 2015 through a planned operation involving temple officials, intermediaries and private jewellers. Setting the tone for BJP’s campaign ahead of the 2026 Kerala assembly elections, Shah predicted a breakthrough. “The lotus will bloom in the state as BJP will assume office in 2026,” he said. “Our aim is to develop Kerala, to protect the state from anti-nationals, and safeguard the centuries-old devotion of the people.” He accused both LDF and Congress-led opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) of “match-fixing” that led to stagnation. “Communist parties are wiped out from the entire world and Congress has been wiped out in India. The path to development of Kerala is with NDA under the leadership of Modi-ji,” Shah said, linking Kerala’s future to PM Narendra Modi’s goal of a developed India by 2047. Citing BJP’s growth, Shah said vote share rose from 16% in 2019 to 20% in 2024 and claimed the jump to “30% to 40%” would come in 2026. “I am confident that BJP state president Rajiv Chandrasekhar can end this musical chair by LDF and UDF,” he said. Drawing parallels with other states, Shah listed BJP’s rise from marginal presence to govt in Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and UP. “Today we have a mayor in Thiruvananthapuram, and tomorrow we will see a CM,” he said.
