“Why do you think BJP is involved in the rivalry?”, questioned Pon Radhakrishnan, when he was asked if BJP is behind the ongoing tussle between TTV Dhinakaran and Panneerselvam.

Dhinakaran, recently, claimed that he had met Panneerselvam in July 2017, to oust Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, from his post. “Why is BJP blamed for all that is happening in Tamil Nadu? BJP has no idea about the allegations of TTV Dhinakaran”, said Pon Radhakrishnan, at the inauguration function of ‘Navarathiri Bavani’ held at Padnabapuram Palace, in Kanniyakumari district, on Sunday.

When asked about the status of Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested by Iranian government, he replied that Central Government was taking all possible steps to bring back fishermen from Iran. “Through the External Affairs Ministry, the Indian Embassy officials in Iran were contacted and all steps are taken to release the fishermen,” said Pon Radhakrishnan.

When asked about the recent Supreme Court judgment allowing women into Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple, he replied that there are several Ayyappan Temples and in all the temples women are allowed except in Sabarimala temple. “Sabarimala Temple has an old tradition of not allowing women into it and the devotees feel that the tradition should be upheld,” he said. He also said that women themselves will not prefer entering the temple. 

Earlier, when Pon Radhakrishnan went to participate in the inauguration function, devotees protested against the Supreme Court judgment allowing women to enter Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple. They raised slogans and held placards with the phrase - ‘Save Sabarimala’. Later, police held talks with the protesters and pacified them. Meanwhile, a rally too was organised by Ayyappa Seva Sangh, in Chennai. Women participated by holding candles. The rally began at Chandra Bavan signal in Kodambakkam to the Ayyappan Temple in Mahalingapuram. They also pledged to enter the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple.