Kerala’s Global Ayyappa Sangamam sparks political clash between LDF and UDFThe Global Ayyappa Sangamam in Kerala ended with a political row, as the ruling LDF hailed it a success while the opposition UDF dismissed it as a flop, alleging poor turnout, political motives, and attempts to woo Hindu votersBy PTI Published Date - 21 September 2025, 03:43 PMThiruvananthapuram: With the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in association with the Kerala government, having ended, a political debate erupted here on Sunday between the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-led UDF over whether the event was a success or a failure. CPI(M) State secretary M V Govindan was the first to respond, asserting that participation had exceeded expectations. Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan said 4,126 persons participated, including 182 foreign delegates (39 from Sri Lanka) and 2,125 from other states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. He maintained that the Sangamam was conducted transparently as per Kerala High Court directions, without inconveniencing devotees and while following the green protocol. “Realising that this was nothing but a political drama staged with elections in mind, devotees stayed away,” he said.