Kochi: Johnny Nellore, former deputy chairman of Kerala Congress (Joseph faction), who resigned from the party, is set to announce his new political venture on Saturday. The official launch of his new party, the National Progressive Party (NPP), is scheduled for 11 am today in Kochi, where the party flag will also be unveiled.

Nellore has stated that the new party will be a secular and pro-farmer party. He has also clarified that, at present, the NPP has no affiliation with any major political parties, but is open to all. There is speculation that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and its Kerala BJP leg may support the NPP to gain the Christian vote bank, Nellore has denied these claims.

NPP's launch comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Kerala and meet with Christian faith leaders. The issue of rubber politics is also in the limelight.

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