Thiruvananthapuram:
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy took exception to CPI (M) leader VS Achuthanandan's recent remarks against the head of the Travancore royal family Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma. Achuthanandan had alleged that the royal family had been siphoning wealth from the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple.
"Achuthanandan should have avoided the remark, but I am not a person to advise him," Chandy told reporters. He was commenting about the recent statement of the CPI (M) leader that alleged the present head of the royal family Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma had been taking away wealth from the temple.
''The huge treasure remained under the sole ownership of the family for a long time and it was improper to level charges like this and defame the family,'' Chandy said.
''The recovery of wealth points to the honesty of the family which protected it all through,'' he added.
Earlier, Achuthanandan had caused a furore when he said that there had been complaints that the present head of the royal house Uthradam Tirunal Marthanda Varma had attempted to remove wealth from the temple. He said he had done it while returning after daily worship.
Out of six vaults of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, five were opened under the supervision of a supreme court appointed committee. The court is yet to take a decision on the opening of the remaining sixth vault.
Chandy said the recent developments were not only a matter of 'wealth', but also a question of faith.
''The government's view is that people's faith also should be taken into consideration while dealing with the matter. The government will give the Supreme court its opinion when the court asks for it,'' Chandy said. However, he added the court directive in the matter would be final.
The treasure was found during an inventory held at the temple as per the recent directive of Supreme Court. The court had also appointed a committee to scientifically evaluate the value of the wealth.