Congress leaders in Kerala reach out to NSS leader Sukumaran Nair over pro CPI(M) stand

A section of the Congress is learnt to be of the view that the party need not initiate any mediation with Sukumaran Nair as the latter's pro-CPI(M) stand had triggered resentment from within the Nair community.

Thiruvananthapuram: Worried over the pro-CPI(M) stand of the Nair community leader in Kerala, a section of Congress leaders have initiated conciliatory efforts even as the fresh developments seem to be an attempt to corner opposition leader V D Satheesan.

Veteran leader P J Kurian and senior leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan visited Nair Service Society (NSS) general secretary G Sukumaran Nair, who openly backed the CPI(M) government in Kerala, deviating from the traditional pro-Congress stand of the Nair community.

Even as both the Congress leaders stated that the NSS would continue to have cordial relationship with the Congress, Sukumaran Nair was learnt to have expressed his displeasure with the Congress.

Sources said that the stubborn stand of opposition leader Satheesan against succumbing to the pressure tactics of community leaders could be a reason for Sukumaran Nair to take an anti-Congress stand. It could put Satheesan under pressure to engage in dialogues with the NSS leadership.

Sukumaran Nair had earlier openly lashed out at Satheesan by accusing him of disregarding the community organisation. Satheesan's statement that he would not go after any community leaders for support had irked the NSS general secretary.

Even while reacting to reports that Congress leaders were trying to mediate with the NSS leadership now, Satheesan said that those were personal meetings only. The other day also Satheesan said that the Congress did not seek the support of NSS or any community outfits and the community outfits were free to take their stand.

A section in the Congress is learnt to be of the view that the party need not initiate any mediation with Sukumaran Nair as the latter's pro-CPI(M) stand had triggered resentment from within the Nair community.

Demonstrations were carried out by agitated people against Sukumaran Nair in various parts of the state on Tuesday also.

Tharoor's participation brings relief 

Meanwhile, the participation of Shashi Tharoor at a public programme of the party in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday has brought relief to the Congress camps as the Thiruvananthapuram MP was keeping off from party programmes in the state for quite some time.

A series of differences between Tharoor and the Congress leadership over issues like praising the state's start-up growth under the CPI(M) government and his backing for the BJP government on matters like 'Operation Sindhoor'.

Tharoor participated in the valedictory function of the Mahila Sahas Yatra organised by the Mahila Congress against the CPI(M) government.

Senior party leaders including  Satheesan and Kerala PCC president Sunny Joseph were present.