In a political stance that is markedly different from the one his party has adopted in Kerala, Congress MLA VT Balram said that he supported free entry of women into Sabarimala. Balram  emphasised that this is a personal stance, although he also added that Congress “does not have the responsibility” of being the spokesperson of brahminism, worshipping of royalty and regressive ideas.

In a Facebook post published on Friday, Balram said, “Retaining my personal view that women entry should be allowed in Sabarimala, I understand Congress’s democratic responsibility of taking a stance after considering the feelings of a large section of the society who are devotees.” However, he added, “There’s also a need to expose the Sangh parivar and the government for using this as an opportunity to communally tear apart secular Kerala using provocations and stubbornness.”

“Congress does not have the responsibility to be the spokesperson of Brahminism, Nationalism and regressive concerns. Indian National Congress is Indira Gandhi’s party. The leader who threw away the covenant of kinds and established privy purse in the country. It is necessary to ensure that representatives of the party participating in channel debates have a basic understanding of the rich legacy of the party. I have informed this to the KPCC president as well,” he said.

Balram ended his post with a catchphrase of sorts: “Please remember, Rahul Gandhi, not Rahul Easwar is our party’s leader.”

When the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter Sabarimala was passed on September 28, the Kerala congress supported it. However, the party soon changed its stance on the verdict and even set up protest venues at Nilakkal and Pamba when the temple opened earlier this month.

Addressing a public meeting in Kottayam on Thursday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the Congress was in a dangerous situation as it was compelled to support the BJP in the state, as it would be 'suicidal ' for them not to.