Kerala: NSS's overture to Ramesh Chennithala triggers speculation of power struggle within Congress

Thiruvananthapuram: An invitation extended by the Nair Service Society (NSS) in Kerala to Congress senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, for the birth anniversary celebrations of its founder and social reformer Mannathu Padmanabhan, is triggering much curiosity in state politics as a power struggle is all likely to happen in the Congress when the state heads towards the 2026 Assembly polls.

Chennithala was not in good terms with NSS for quite some time. However, the fresh developments could be interpreted as a move against leader of opposition V D Satheesan who also does not share good ties with NSS leadership.

Last year, NSS had invited Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to the meeting, which was also a surprise move as NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair had earlier mocked the MP as a 'Delhi Nair' when the diplomate turned politician turned up to contest in Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat. Nair later said that he was correcting his mistake and termed Tharoor as "son of Kerala and global citizen."

In 2013, NSS general secretary openly stated that Chennithala should be given a key place in the then Congress government led by Oommen Chandy. But Chennithala rejected it as he did not want to be labelled as the leader of any one community.

Nair had also accused Satheesan of ignoring the community. He was irked by Satheesan's statement that the political parties should not seek votes on communal lines.

There has already been a power struggle overtly and covertly happening in the Congress, with the latest being a campaign against Kerala PCC president K Sudhakaran, widely believed to be from Satheesan's supporters.

The present move of NSS by inviting Chennithala as key speaker for its function is triggering speculations that the former leader of opposition and home minister is trying to set things in his favour in case of a leadership struggle in the party.

Nair community constitutes around 15 percent of Kerala's population and is the second largest Hindu community in Kerala after the Ezhava, which comes in the OBC category.