The Congress-led United Democratic Front and the BJP are targeting the incumbent Left Democratic Front government over the Sabarimala temple issue in Kerala ahead of the assembly elections.
The opposition parties are seizing on the LDF's stance backing the Supreme Court's 2018 verdict allowing women of all ages into the shrine and the arrest of top Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders in a gold theft case.
The LDF has softened its stance on Sabarimala, telling the Supreme Court that the issue must be revisited after hearing the 'impartial opinion of social reformers and religious scholars.'
The BJP is committed to protecting the 'faith and beliefs' of Sabarimala pilgrims, while the Congress is questioning the CPI(M) for not taking action on the leaders arrested in the gold theft case.
The issue is expected to play out prominently in seats where Hindu voters form a majority, and could have a direct impact on constituencies like Konni and Ranni in Pathanamthitta district where the Sabarimala temple is located.
