THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP State president P Sreedharan Pillai said that if the state government didn't resolve the issue within 24 hours, the BJP-NDA's agitation would take a new turn. "We will meet each villager in Kerala and chalk out a massive agitation plan to protect the Sabarimala temple, its centuries-old traditions and the sentiments of Lord Ayyappa devotees," he said.

He said that “what is going on is a peaceful and patient strike for protecting the beliefs. In this flash flood of people, the chief minister and atheists will be swept away.”

Pillai, rally captain, was speaking at the valedictory function of Vishwasa Samrakshana yatra (Belief protection march) started from Pandalam under the leadership of NDA.
“We are not trying for any political gain in the protest. Our aim is to stand by devotees and protect the tradition and beliefs. For the past 50 years, the CPM had been trying to sabotage the beliefs of Sabarimala, which had seen a rush of 5.4 crore people last year,” he said.