THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Travancore Devaswom Board president and congress leader Prayar Gopalakrishnan said that he lost the Vattiyoorkavu seat due to the group squabbles in the party. I had informed the party that I was willing to contest from there. But in the end I lost the Vattiyoorkkavu seat. I will never take a stand against the party. Oommen Chandy invited me to attend the Malayalappuzha panchayat Convention on the 6th. I will surely attend that. I'll be there for the party always. My opinion is that being an MLA for one and a half year is nothing. When we face polls the next time, we will not be able to approach people with the projects you have done in the one and a half years.

The UDF got 19 seats in the last Lok Sabha polls mainly because of the Sabarimala issue. I was the one who raised the issue. But none from my party is ready to accept this. They all are saying they won the polls because of their ability. If the congress stands united, the party can assume power the next time. If assumed power, the party’s first step will be a legislation on Sabarimala. Ramesh Chennithala, Oommen Chandy and P C Chacko had helped in a good manner. Manu Abhishek Singhvi, a lawyer of the Supreme Court is in constant communication. Will go to Delhi the next week for further procedures on the case.

The judge who pronounced the verdict is retiring on the 17th. Sometimes there may be a verdict on the review petitions. Or else the case will go to the seven-member bench. There is a need for the central government or the state government to immediately issue an ordinance on the issue. A memorandum signed by one crore people against women entry in Sabarimala has been given to the Prime Minister. Along with me Suresh Gopi and K C Venugopal have signed the memorandum. The apex court had passed an order against women entry in 1955 and 1956. A copy of the order will be at the Pandalam Palace. The Pandalam royal family should take steps to produce the order before the Supreme Court as soon as possible.

It is my duty to oppose women from entering Sabarimala this mandala season. I am ready to take the responsibility whatever be the consequences. The strike would be peaceful. The Congress Party has assigned me for this.

The state government and the Marxist party are haunting me continuously. This government could not prove that I had stolen, corrupted or taken a commission while serving as board president. My savings are just that, he said.