KOTTAYAM: The widely anticipated alliance between the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam has collapsed before taking flight. The NSS unilaterally withdrew from the proposal, citing suspicions that the move was being choreographed by the BJP through SNDP general secretary Vellappally Natesan.
The Trigger for Withdrawal: The primary point of contention arose when Natesan deputed his son, Thushar Vellappally—who heads the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), a key ally of the BJP-led NDA—to lead the unity discussions. NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair reportedly reached out to Thushar and bluntly asked him to cancel his planned visit to the NSS headquarters in Perunna.
“It is inappropriate for a political party head to initiate talks between two community organizations,” Nair stated during an emergency director board meeting held on Monday to ratify the withdrawal.
Political Apprehensions: The NSS leadership expressed concerns that a formal alliance would compromise their long-standing “equidistance” policy toward political parties. Key factors fueling these suspicions include:
- The Padma Factor: The recent conferment of the Padma Bhushan on Vellappally Natesan.
- BDJS Link: The perceived attempt to use the SNDP as a bridge to pull the NSS toward the saffron fold.
- Precedent: The NSS recalled the 2014 “Nayadi to Namboothiri” campaign led by Natesan, which significantly bolstered the BJP’s vote share in Kerala.
Strategic Distancing: Sources suggest the NSS was also wary of being associated with Natesan’s recent controversial remarks regarding the Muslim community. By pulling out, the NSS aims to clarify that it does not share any communal agenda and intends to maintain cordial relations with all faiths and castes independently.
The NSS has reaffirmed that while it values Hindu unity, it will not participate in any movement that serves as a vehicle for a specific political agenda. ( With input from TNIE)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com