Rs 1 lakh cr wealth will remain with Padmanabhaswami temple: CM

The CM said the security arrangements at the temple would be decided in consultation with the royal family of erstwhile Travancore princely state,which runs the temple management,and the priest. The believers would not face any hardship due to the security,he added.

Former temple affairs minister and CPM leader G Sudhakaran echoed his views. “Neither the temple affairs department,nor the government should touch the antique property,” he said.

Uthradam Thirunnal Marthanda Varma,a senior member of the royal family,said he would not comment on the ongoing preparation of inventory of the treasure,thus far hidden in the temple.

As the valuation is believed to cross Rs 1 lakh crore,Hindu organisations and the BJP have hardened their stand on the temple property. BJP state president V Muraleedharan said they would strongly resist any move on part of the government to take over the wealth.

Eminent jurist V R Krishna Iyer,however,said the wealth should be used for eliminating poverty. “A national trust should be formed to manage it,” he said.