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BJP state chief shares images of Potti with Sonia, Pinarayi, says gold theft part of larger conspiracy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday shared photographs of Unnikrishnan Potti - the key accused in the Sabarimala gold scam - with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, reiterating through a post on his Facebook and X handles that the case is part of a larger conspiracy involving both the Congress and the CPM. In a strongly worded statement, Chandrasekhar said that the arguments we put forward from the beginning have now been proven right, alleging that the scam had its origins during the Congress-led government. He claimed that the images of Potti with top leaders exposed what he described as an unholy nexus between the two rival parties. Chandrasekhar added that the Congress silence during the massive protests by Hindu devotees over the issue raised serious questions. He further alleged that, without the sustained agitation by BJP workers and believers, the INDIA alliance partners would have buried the case. According to him, the CPM and the Congress, despite projecting themselves as political opponents in Kerala, have been partners in this crime. He asserted that Potti was only a small link in a wider network and alleged that more influential figures within the INDIA bloc were involved. The BJP leader called for an independent and impartial investigation by central agencies to ensure that all those responsible are brought before the law. Chandrasekhars post included two photos: one showing Unnikrishnan Potti alongside Sonia Gandhi, and another with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Later in the day, responding to questions on the case registered against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, Chandrasekhar alleged that the timing of the action was aimed at diverting attention from the Sabarimala gold scam. He accused the CPM and Congress of working together to shift public focus and said the BJP would highlight the Sabarimala issue prominently during the election campaign. Reiterating his earlier charges, Chandrasekhar said the Sabarimala gold loot began even before the CPM came to power and pointed to earlier photographs of Unnikrishnan Potti with senior Congress leaders as evidence.