Kerala Minister Saji Cherian Ignites Fresh Political Firestorm with Amritanandamayi Birthday Attendance

Kerala's political landscape is once again ablaze, with Minister Saji Cherian at the heart of a fresh controversy. The spotlight turned on Cherian, a prominent figure in the CPI(M) and the LDF government, following his recent attendance at the grand 70th birthday celebrations of spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi.

This seemingly innocuous participation has not only raised eyebrows but has also drawn a barrage of scathing criticism from both the Congress and BJP, reigniting uncomfortable questions about his past and present political stance.

The opposition's ire is deeply rooted in Cherian's contentious history.

It was only in July 2022 that the minister was forced to resign from his cabinet position after making highly provocative statements against the Indian Constitution. He had publicly declared that the Constitution was crafted to "loot the common people" and brazenly described it as "exploitative." These remarks triggered widespread condemnation, led to a police case, and ultimately, his temporary political exile.

Despite the storm, Cherian was controversially re-inducted into the cabinet in January 2023, after being cleared by the court – a move that itself had fueled significant debate.

Now, his presence at a spiritual leader's elaborate birthday event, particularly given his communist ideological background, is being seized upon as a glaring example of hypocrisy.

Congress MLA P.C. Vishnunath was quick to launch a scathing attack, questioning the minister's ideological consistency. Vishnunath sarcastically remarked on the irony of Cherian, who once disparaged the nation's foundational document, now seeking blessings from a 'saint' at a lavish, high-profile function.

"If the Constitution is exploitative," Vishnunath challenged, "what exactly is his ideology, and what are his aspirations when he attends such events?"

The BJP, not to be outdone, also weighed in with strong condemnation. State president K. Surendran didn't mince words, accusing LDF leaders, and specifically CPI(M) members, of blatant hypocrisy.

Surendran highlighted a perceived pattern where communist figures often criticize religious leaders and spiritual organizations, only to participate in their events when politically expedient. This, he argued, showcases a profound double standard that undermines their professed secular and anti-religious stance.

The controversy underscores the delicate balance of politics, ideology, and public perception in Kerala.

Saji Cherian's re-entry into the cabinet was already a contentious issue, and his latest appearance has only served to pour fuel on an already smoldering fire. The opposition's strategy is clear: to relentlessly expose what they perceive as a fundamental contradiction in Cherian's public life and the LDF's political ethics.

This incident is poised to keep the political pot boiling, offering fresh ammunition to those eager to challenge the ruling front's moral and ideological high ground.