Pathanamthitta: Congress MLA Chandy Oommen offered prayers at the famous Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala on Saturday. This was his second visit to the shrine, with the first one taking place in 2022.

The Puthuppally MLA started his ‘vrutham’ (ritualistic austerity measures) for the pilgrimage on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam this year and reached the shrine by ascending the Pathinettampadi (18 holy steps). Owing to various reasons, he could not undertake the pilgrimage last year.

During the temple visit, the legislator was accompanied by Wayanad district congress committee general secretary Rajesh Kumar and Alappuzha district secretary of the Youth Congress Gangashankar.

Chandy arrived at Sannidhanam by 8 pm in the general queue along with the other pilgrims and he was recognised only at Sopanam by certain police personnel on duty there. The MLA declined special consideration for ‘darshan’ and walked ahead after praying to the deity.

When he reached the Malikappuram shrine, other pilgrims surrounded him requesting selfies and photos with him. The MLA obliged and prayed at the Malikappuram temple along with them.

Asked about his recent statement on being sidelined during the Palakkad Assembly byelection campaign, Chandy refused to comment. But he expressed his disappointment over the party leadership.

“A controversy will erupt if I say anything. However, I am still hurt over the issue. I have been kept away from party affairs since the Palakkad bypoll. But, I have done no wrong, either intentionally or unintentionally,” said the MLA.

“Ayyappa Swamy offers solace to people who are in grief. I surrender everything to Swamy,” Oommen added.