Global Ayyappa Sangama inauguration.
Credit: Information and Public Relations Dept. Kerala Govt
Thiruvananthapuram: In a shot in the arm for the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, the leadership of the prominent Hindu Nair and Ezhava communities have openly backed the LDF government and also criticised the Congress and the BJP.
The fresh developments are the immediate outcome of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam that witnessed the participation of leaders of Nair Service Society, which represents the Hindu-Nair community, and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalanayogam (SNDP) that represents the Hindu Ezhava community, whereas the Congress and BJP stayed away from the LDF government organised event.
The pro-CPM stand of the two majority communities has come at a time when the state is heading towards the local body polls and assembly polls. The Nair community was often considered anti-CPM owing to the land reforms initiated by the first Communist government.
NSS general secretary Sukumaran Nair, who earlier took open stands against the CPM government over the Sabarimala women's entry issue, told a section of the media on Wednesday that since the CPM government was correcting its earlier stand, they need to be believed.
He also criticised that the BJP government at the centre didn't fulfil the promise of bringing in legislation to protest beliefs and faiths, and the Congress never took a clear stand on the Sabarimala issue.
SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan, who was all in praise of Vijayan for organising the Ayyappa Sangamam, said on Wednesday that what Nair said was right and the NSS's stand could help the left front in the elections too.
A long standing friction between opposition leader V D Satheesan of the Congress with NSS leadership could also be a reason for the NSS leadership's fresh pro-CPM line. Hence, it is likely to trigger infights within the Congress too, as the anti-Satheesan camps could use it against Satheesan.
In a damage control bid, Congress senior leader Ramesh Chennithala said that the Congress always had a good relationship with the NSS and it would continue. He also said that Congress was always with believers to protect their beliefs.
Meanwhile, the close rapport that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is now maintaining with SNDP general secretary Vellappally Natesan may not go down well with a section in the Nair community.
The Vellappaly-Pinarayi rapport also raises many eyebrows as Natesan's son Thusahar, is the president of Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, which is a key coalition partner of the BJP. The father-son duo is often accused of trying to sail in two boats.