Ahead of Kerala polls, NSS decides to withdraw from alliance with SNDP

Kochi: In a significant development ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala, the Nair Service Society (NSS) has decided not to proceed with an alliance with the SNDP Yogam, the Ezhava community outfit, even as discussions for unity had gained momentum this week.

The decision came after the NSS’s Director Board had reportedly raised objections to the proposed alliance. Meanwhile, Vellappally Natesan, General Secretary of SNDP Yogam and SN Trust, reacted to the development, saying he came to know about the decision only through media reports.

The move comes just a day after former BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai visited the NSS headquarters at Perunna on Sunday, against the backdrop of recent criticism of the BJP by NSS General Secretary Sukumaran Nair.

“Considering that previous attempts at NSS-SNDP unity have failed multiple times for various reasons, it is now evident, especially in the present political circumstances, that another attempt at unity would also fail. NSS cannot deviate from its foundational values. Therefore, a renewed alliance is not practical. In particular, NSS maintains an equidistant stance towards all political parties...,” a statement issued by NSS reads.

Earlier this week, the council of SNDP Yogam had approved a long-awaited unity plan with NSS, which would have brought together two major Hindu caste organisations in Kerala, NSS representing the forward Nair community and SNDP Yogam representing the Ezhavas, ahead of the elections.

Also read: Even next time he will be CM: Vellappally Natesan calls himself a devotee of Pinarayi Vijayan

Speaking to reporters at the NSS headquarters in Changanassery, Nair had then said, "After preliminary discussions between the leaderships of SNDP and NSS, an NSS leadership meeting will be convened. Following discussions there, with approval, the next steps will be taken… The SNDP-NSS unity will not create any obstacle to the declared goals or activities of either organisation. The SNDP meeting will proceed in line with the activities of its general secretary."

Addressing a press conference in Alappuzha, Natesan had said thanks are extended to Sukumaran Nair.

"Sukumaran Nair has empowered the Ezhava community. Past mistakes will be corrected. Future decisions will be made only after consulting with the NSS. There will no longer be any clash between NSS and SNDP. If it becomes necessary to take a political stance, it will be done,” he said.