As the Kerala Assembly elections approach, the head of SNDP Yogam, a significant organization for the Ezhava community, criticized ally Indian Union Muslim League for having undue sway in the Congress-led United Democratic Front. Vellapalli Natesan, the general secretary of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, alleged that the Muslim League manipulates divisions within the Hindu community for political advantage.
Natesan claimed that the Congress is heavily influenced by the League, emphasizing the need for support from Malappuram to win in Wayanad. The IUML, a key UDF ally, currently holds 15 MLAs in the 140-member Kerala Assembly and two Lok Sabha MPs from the state.
The SNDP Yogam leader also raised concerns about “love jihad,” citing personal experiences within his family. He acknowledged the existence of such incidents and expressed worries about certain groups aiming to establish a religious state. Natesan criticized the UDF for allegedly neglecting the interests of backward classes despite past collaborations with the Muslim League.
Reflecting on the changing political landscape, Natesan noted the increasing influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala. He praised Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar for bringing positive energy to the party and predicted a rise in the BJP’s vote share. Natesan, who supports Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, emphasized the importance of a broader alliance across different communities in navigating the current socio-political scenario.
