THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Actor turned politician Suresh Gopi had found himself in the middle of a controversy after visuals of him giving Vishu kaineetam surfaced. Now, Suresh Gopi has responded to the criticisms over the kaineetam.

Responding to criticism, Suresh Gopi said that he had given money to the temple last year as well to give kaineetam to devotees. "I had given money to the temple last year as well. This time, I reached Thrissur soon after my Rajya Sabha term came to an end. I had decided to celebrate Vishu for a week and give kaineetam to everyone," Suresh Gopi said. He added that the one rupee notes to be handed over to the devotees as kaineetam were delivered directly from the Reserve Bank.

Suresh Gopi said that those who are alleging that the BJP was buying votes by giving away money do not deserve an answer. "Giving kaineetam has been a tradition for years. If it scares anyone, tell them to go and die," he said