Senior BJP leader Shoba Surendran on Monday demanded that the central agencies question Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family in connection with the gold smuggling case.
The demand comes against the backdrop of gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh's allegation that the chief minister, his wife Kamala and their daughter Veena were involved in the crime.
Surendran was inaugurating a protest of the women's wing of the BJP in Thrissur where all the women were dressed in black.
The "damning revelations" by Swapna last week has since affected the normal life in the state, with the Congress and the BJP taking to the streets demanding Vijayan's resignation.
Swapna, in her confession statement made under Section 164 (5) under the Criminal Procedure Code, has said Vijayan, Kamala and Veena have indulged in smuggling of currency and gold.
"In the wake of the revelations confessed before a magistrate, it has to be seen in that seriousness and hence the central agencies must question the three," said Surendran, a firebrand top women leader in Kerala of the BJP.
"It's strange that Vijayan has an aversion to black and none should forget that Lord Ayyappan's favourite dress is black and Vijayan was at the forefront to ensure that women devotees enter the famed Sabarimala temple," added Shoba.
She also said it's really unfortunate the morale of the police force has come under duress.
In the state capital city also, angry women activists of the BJP staged a massive protest in black outfits raising slogans that Vijayan is a thief and hence should quit.
Incidentally, since Saturday, the police have been chasing people wearing black masks or attire in any of the programmes that Vijayan attends.
Meanwhile, for the first time since "black dress or black masks" has become a symbol of protests, Vijayan at a function in Kannur said some wrong campaign is going on about black colour.
"People can wear any colour of their choice and some wrong campaign is going on against this. Also none will be stopped on the roads. There will be nothing which is going to be against the people, said Vijayan while taking part in a function through online at Kannur his hometown.
Since Saturday, the social media is abuzz over the ban on black colour forcing Vijayan himself to announce that there is no ban on black.
Also, seven-time former legislator P.C.George, normally seen in a white shirt, was seen sporting a black shirt as also was popular Lok Sabha member N.K.Premachandran.
State BJP president, while taking part in a party function, also was seen wearing a black mask and so were other party workers.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
You’ve hit your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Quarterly Starter
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online
Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app