Former Congress MLA AV Gopinathan to lead Guruvayur Devaswom Board

PALAKKAD: Former DCC President and former Congress MLA A.V. Gopinathan is set to become the new Chairman of the Guruvayur Devaswom Board. The appointment file has been processed by the Law Department and forwarded to the Devaswom Secretary; the formal order is expected to be issued following the Secretary's signature.

Gopinathan, who confirmed he has held discussions with the Chief Minister, stated his readiness to take charge immediately upon the issuance of the official order. Expressing his devotion to Guruvayoorappan, Gopinathan affirmed his commitment to working alongside the CPM, despite ongoing tensions with the party’s local leadership in Palakkad.

This appointment follows the conclusion of the term of the outgoing Chairman, Dr. V.K. Vijayan.

The appointment comes at a notable juncture in Gopinathan’s political career. After parting ways with the Congress party, Gopinathan formed the Peringottukurissi Independent Development Front (IDF) and contested local body elections in alliance with the LDF. However, he faced a defeat by 134 votes in the ninth ward of Peringottukurissi panchayat.

Gopinathan has been vocal about his grievances, publicly alleging that certain local CPM leaders were instrumental in his defeat. Despite these localised disputes, his appointment as Devaswom Chairman follows direct consultations with the Chief Minister, signalling a high-level effort to bridge the divide.

Legacy in Alathur

Gopinathan’s political career is marked by a rare achievement: he remains the only Congress leader to have secured a victory in Alathur, a staunch CPM stronghold and the former constituency of E.M.S. Namboodiripad. His administrative track record is equally significant, having served as the president of the Peringottukurissi panchayat for 43 years.

His departure from the Congress was a culmination of long-standing internal friction. After serving as DCC president for two years, he resigned in 2021, citing moral responsibility for electoral losses in the region. Although senior Congress leaders, including K. Sudhakaran and Oommen Chandy, had previously intervened to prevent his exit by promising leadership roles, Gopinathan ultimately left the party after these assurances were not met.