Sat Feb 07 08:08:52 UTC 2026: ### Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: UDF Convenor Questioned, Sparks Political Firestorm
The Story:
The Kerala High Court-appointed SIT is questioning UDF convenor and Congress MP Adoor Prakash in connection to the Sabarimala temple gold theft case. The investigation intensified after photographs surfaced showing Mr. Prakash with the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, including one where Mr. Potti is tying a thread around Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s wrist. The SIT is investigating the nature of Mr. Prakash’s relationship with Mr. Potti and whether he facilitated the meeting with Ms. Gandhi. The questioning has ignited a political row, with the Congress party alleging a CPI(M) plot to divert attention from their own leaders’ alleged involvement in the theft.
Key Points:
- UDF convenor and Congress MP Adoor Prakash questioned by SIT in Sabarimala gold theft case on February 7, 2026.
- Photos of Mr. Prakash with prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, including one with Sonia Gandhi, triggered the investigation.
- SIT examining Mr. Prakash’s relationship with Mr. Potti and his role in arranging meetings.
- AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal alleges political motives behind the questioning, accusing the CPI(M) of trying to deflect attention from their own leaders.
- Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan declined to comment on the matter.
Critical Analysis:
The timing of Adoor Prakash’s questioning is politically charged, occurring during the UDF’s statewide ‘Puthuyuga Yatra’, where the alleged involvement of CPI(M) leaders in the Sabarimala theft is a central theme. The CPI(M) is portrayed as being “embattled” from the arrest of their own leaders in connection to the case. Congress framing this questioning as a political maneuver is strategic, aimed at discrediting the investigation. The inclusion of Sonia Gandhi in the photographs adds a high-profile dimension, potentially damaging to the Congress’s image if the connection between Mr. Prakash and Mr. Potti proves problematic. Also, the historical context of Rahul Gandhi’s “political vendetta” statement concerning the arrest of Pappu Yadav suggests an ongoing narrative of the opposition parties framing legal actions against their members as politically motivated. Given the simultaneous exoneration of actor Mohanlal and producer Antony Perumbavoor in a 2007 film dispute, the political landscape in Kerala appears highly active, with legal and political maneuvering occurring on multiple fronts.
Key Takeaways:
- The Sabarimala gold theft case has become a major political battleground between the UDF and CPI(M) in Kerala.
- The investigation into Adoor Prakash highlights the potential for the scandal to reach the highest levels of the Congress party.
- Allegations of political motivations behind the investigation raise questions about the neutrality of the legal process.
- The Congress is attempting to frame the situation as a political attack to protect its leaders and deflect attention from the accusations.
Impact Analysis:
The Sabarimala gold theft case and the subsequent investigation and allegations have the potential to significantly impact the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala. If the SIT uncovers evidence of high-level involvement, it could severely damage the reputation of the Congress party and the UDF coalition. Conversely, if the Congress’s claims of political vendetta gain traction, it could erode public trust in the CPI(M)-led government and the investigation itself. This event series will shape the political narrative leading up to the election, influencing voter perceptions of corruption and accountability.
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