Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Devaswoms Minister K Muraleedharan on Tuesday claimed that the CPI(M) merely suspended A Padmakumar, a former TDB president and accused in the Sabarimala gold loss cases, as it was afraid he might make some revelations that could harm the party.

"He was merely suspended and not removed as they (CPIM) are afraid about the truths he might reveal," the minister claimed while speaking to reporters at a press conference here.

Padmakumar was suspended from the Left party following the SIT probe against him in the Sabarimala gold loss case.

He was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for his alleged role in permitting gold-clad plates from artefacts at the Sabarimala temple to be sent for electroplating during his tenure as Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president.

Following his arrest, the CPI(M) had barred the former Travancore Devaswom Board president from participating in party activities and sought an explanation from him.

Subsequently, the party state committee entrusted the Pathanamthitta district committee with taking a decision on disciplinary proceedings against him.

The district committee met on Monday in the presence of senior leaders and decided to suspend him as the explanation given by him was found to be unsatisfactory.

A more detailed explanation would be sought from Padmakumar after the SIT files its charge sheet in the gold loss cases, the party had said, adding that based on his detailed reply, further disciplinary action will be taken.

The suspension comes close on the heels of media reports that Padmakumar had told close associates that he and senior police officer S Sreejith were deliberately kept away from Sannidhanam on the day two women entered the Sabarimala temple following the Supreme Court verdict.

The reports further claimed that Padmakumar had alleged that the move was orchestrated by a "highly influential person" with considerable sway in both the party and the then Left government.

The CPI(M), however, appeared reluctant to respond to the reported claims, with former CM and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan and state secretary M V Govindan rejecting Padmakumar's allegations.