Official vehicle nowhere to be seen; MoS Suresh Gopi takes a ride in autorickshaw

HARIPAD: Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi travelled by auto-rickshaw after his official vehicle turned up late in Haripad on Thursday night. The minister was in town to inaugurate the Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja award ceremony. MoS Suresh Gopi also attended the famous Mahadeepakazhcha, a grand festival of lights, as part of the annual Ayilya puja.

The temple authorities escorted the minister on his way back but quite shockingly, the official vehicle was nowhere to be seen. Even the police pilot vehicle didn't turn up on time. The minister then glanced at an auto rickshaw that brought some devotees to the temple. In pure cinema style, Suresh Gopi entered the auto and decided to continue his travel rather than wait for his official vehicle. The minister travelled by auto to the Hanuman Swamy temple near the Haripad Subramaniaswamy temple, one and a half kilometres away.

In the meantime, the official vehicle made up for its mistake and reached the Hanumanswamy temple premises. After alighting at the Hanumanswamy temple, the minister continued his journey in an official vehicle. The BJP blamed the negligence and lack of security on the part of the police.