Kerala Opposition leader Satheesan rejected speculation that NSS, SNDP alliances were supporting Ramesh Chennithala.

Kerala Opposition Leader VD Satisan (File) | Photo credit: Thulasi Kakkat

Kerala opposition leader VD Satheesan on Saturday (Dec 21, 2024) rubbished speculation that the Nair Seva Samaj (NSS) and Sri Narayan Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam were supporting senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala to thwart his chances. After the victory of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, the Chief Minister.

Welcoming the NSS’s invitation to Mr. Chennithala to deliver the keynote address at the upcoming Mannam Jayanti celebrations, Mr. Satheesan said that many leaders have participated in such meetings organized by community and religious organizations in the past. “I attended meetings of Christian and Hindu organisations. This is a positive sign as it shows that Congress leaders cannot be ignored by such invitations,’ he said.

Mr Satheesan praised the NSS whose leadership “resisted attempts by the Sangh Parivar to sneak into the organisation” after the Supreme Court’s decision to allow women of all ages to enter the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in 2019.

SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappalli Natesan remarked that he “lacked maturity”, pointing out that he was “happy” with Mr Natesan’s comment that the Congress would get a Chief Minister in the 2026 state assembly elections. “He (Mr. Natesan) had said a few months ago that the Left Front under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would be third. Tenure in power. This reflects the changing trend in favor of the Congress across the state,” said Mr. Satheesan.

He said the Opposition Leader was “not above criticism” and said he would look into the criticism leveled by Mr Natesan and take corrective action if necessary.

Mr. Satheesan said that he had no differences of opinion with the leaders of community organizations and would support their genuine demands. “The Congress and the UDF have always taken a secular stance which is evident from our stand on issues like the land dispute in Munambam in Ernakulam,” he said.

He said the Congress and UDF would only “benefit” from the association of their leaders with community organisations. “There is nothing wrong with Congress leaders enjoying good relations with community organizations in Kerala. However, we can return to power in Kerala only if we make a concerted effort,” he added.