Kerala poll verdict: Velappally denies role in LDF defeat, steps back from vow to quit SNDP post

Alappuzha: Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam General Secretary Velappally Natesan on Wednesday appeared to backtrack on his earlier declaration that he would resign from his office if the United Democratic Front (UDF) secured 100 seats, as he addressed the media following the election results.

Responding to questions at the press conference after the Kerala Assembly election results, the leader of a prominent Hindu caste outfit in Kerala said, “Such things are said by many people.”

The remarks came after the Kerala Assembly results in which the Congress secured 63 seats in the 140-member House, while its ally the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) won 22 seats. The combined UDF tally enabled the alliance to unseat the Left Democratic Front (LDF) after 10 years in power.

Velappally had made the resignation comment earlier at a function in Paravur in July 2025, where he challenged V. D. Satheesan, stating he would step down as General Secretary if the UDF reached 100 seats. He had also said the UDF would not even cross 98 seats and questioned Satheesan’s confidence in reaching the 100-seat mark, including whether he would go into “vanavasam” (exile in the wilderness) if the target was not achieved.

At that time, Satheesan had responded by saying he would go into “vanavasam” if he failed to ensure a strong UDF victory, while clarifying that he was not issuing a counter-challenge to Velappally.

Rejects responsibility claims over LDF defeat

Velappally also rejected allegations that he was responsible for the LDF’s electoral defeat. He said such claims were being made by “those opposed to Pinarayi and the community”.

He further noted that voters had crossed caste and religious lines, contributing to what he described as the UDF’s near one-lakh majority. He also said the alliance itself had not expected to cross 100 seats.

He added that neither he nor any community leader had the authority to decide the Congress chief ministerial candidate, stating that it was an internal party matter. He described V. D. Satheesan as a good Opposition Leader.

Remarks on Congress leadership and organisational role

Velappally Natesan also commented on senior Congress leaders, saying K. C. Venugopal played a key role in the UDF’s electoral success.

“KC Venugopal is intelligent. He is a leader who has the authority to decide how Congress should move in India. He is perhaps third in the party hierarchy. He is a nationally influential leader. Through his influence, many MLAs have been created. He has resolved many issues through his intervention. He has leadership qualities, strategy and organisational ability. He can govern Kerala even while sitting in Delhi. I doubt whether he would come here. In a small Kerala, there is only grass; when there are many sugarcane fields in India, I do not think he would come to eat this grass. Most MLAs and MPs are with Venugopal. He is also the architect of the election victory. He also arranged funds for the campaign,” Velappally said.

He also praised Ramesh Chennithala, calling him the most senior leader with extensive experience and the ability to bring people together. He added that Satheesan had performed well as Opposition Leader.