Pathanamthitta: Sabarimala temple will be opened on Wednesday evening for the next 10 days for Vishu festival. As the election heat intensifies, Sabarimala could turn to be a political playground.
BJP thinks that the protests against the women's entry to the shrine have turned to be a positive factor for them in the elections. BJP-RSS leaders feel that re-igniting the Sabarimala issue could give them an edge in the election.
For this, they are planning to bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sabarimala . RSS thinks that Modi reaching Sabarimala and making announcement on protecting the traditions regarding women's entry into the shrine could make a wave in upcoming elections. But Election Commission’s ban on using Sabarimala issue as a tool in election campaigns could be an obstacle for this. Also the question whether Modi has observed the mandatory fasting of 41 days could turn out to be a headache for RSS later.
It is learned that RSS workers have been mobilisedat Sabarimala for stopping any women from entering the shrine. If any ladies reach the place, they can raise protests and thereby bring the issue again in focus.
There were only a few Sabarimala Karma Samiti workers at Sabarimala when the shrine was opened for ‘Kumbhamasa pooja’ last month. Some women from other states reached Sabarimala, but police did not allow them to enter.
Karmasamiti workers had thought that women entering the temple could be turned into a favorable political situation for them. But police had their full force there to block any attempts to enter the shrine, that could lead to huge protests in the state. With elections drawing near, both BJP and LDF, for different reasons, fear issues cropping up Sabarimala.