CHENGANNUR: It has been hinted that devaswom board president A Padmakumar is likely to resign following the backlash after the Supreme Court verdict that allows women of all ages to enter Sabarimala. He will declare his willingness to resign when he meets CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today. A Padmakumar’s willingness to resign is revealing the conflicts within the party after the party had taken a stand not to file a review plea. Though the devaswom board had earlier opposed the verdict, they changed their stand according to the government decisions.

It has been hinted that the resignation is due to pressure from his family who are Ayyappa devotees. The decision is also to escape from the backlash that has been received locally. Padmakumar also hesitates to oppose the stand of the government.

In an article in party mouthpiece Deshabhimani on Friday, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the party has no plans to interfere with the devotees.