ALAPPUZHA: District Congress leader inaugurating RSS’s fund collection programme for Ram temple in Ayodhya has set off a row. Alappuzha DCC deputy chief T G Raghunatha Pillai is the Congress leader who has landed on trouble by inaugurating the rival party’s fund collection programme. The incident held in Pallipuram, Cherthala on last Sunday.

Raghunatha Pillai is the president of Kadavil Mahalakshmi temple in Pallipuram. Raghunatha, one of the senior leaders of the party in the district, inaugurated the programme by giving his contribution to the temple’s chief priest. When the incident surfaced through media, Congress workers have turned against the senior leader. It has also set the stage for serious talks within the party. Some have even asked to expel Raghunatha Pillai from the party. The workers hold the view that Raghunatha Pillai’s conduct gives further proof for CPM’s allegation that Congress leaders defecting to BJP.

When the incident set off a controversy, Reghunatha Pillai has issued a clarification. He said that he inaugurated the ceremony in the capacity of the temple’s board president. He further added the wrath on him comes in the wake of group rivalry within the party.