THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: RSS have taken charge of Sabarimala protest from BJP. Ayyappa Bhaktha Sangamam, the recent gathering of Ayyappa devotees, was organized by Sangh Parivar lead Sabarimala Karma Samithi. This is a clear indication of change in political control.

The tactic of using spiritual leaders instead of politicians is a tried and tested formula of BJP in North India. BJP leaders were not invited to the program and even BJP state president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai had to sit among the audience.

RSS is unhappy with how BJP handled Sabarimala issue, which was a golden chance to make political progress in Kerala. They are discontent with Sabarimala protest in front of secretariat and indefinite hunger strike, which failed to create enough impact.

Meanwhile a section of leaders inside the party didn’t co-operate with Sabarimala protests. RSS welcomed SC verdict allowing women of menstrual age to enter Sabarimala. Their change in stand was with a clear political agenda. However BJP couldn’t properly exploit the situation.

‘Ayyappa Jyothi’ was the BJP’s alternative to the government’s women wall. Ayyappa Bhaktha Sangamam is the most organized form protest amongst all Sabarimala protests. RSS believes that the presence of spiritual leaders like Mata Amrithanandamayi as a political gain. They calculate that polarization of Hindu votes is possible in the upcoming election. The speech made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Kollam was with same intent.