Thiruvananthapuram: The Nair Service Society (NSS) on Sunday welcomed the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam’s call for Hindu community solidarity, signalling a thaw in relations between the two influential organisations.

NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair expressed support for SNDP general secretary Vellappally Natesan’s stance, describing the move as “the need of the hour.”

“It is the need of the era. SNDP wishes to cooperate with the NSS, and the NSS is also interested because it understands the necessity of this time,” he said.

Nair emphasised that the emerging collaboration is not politically motivated. Addressing media claims linking Congress veteran Ramesh Chennithala to the initiative, he stated:

“None of such people is needed. We are equidistant towards all political parties. We will not act for any party. Sometimes, their interference even backfires,” he said.

He also questioned Kerala leader of opposition and Congress veteran Satheesan’s role, adding:

“What right does he have to address the party’s policy matters? He undermines the KPCC president and gives opinions on everything. Is he the one creating enemies? After coming here and asking for votes, he has no right to comment on appeasement visits.”

SNDP calls for unity

On Saturday, Vellappally Natesan said the SNDP believes it is “no longer appropriate to remain at odds with the NSS.” He announced that the SNDP leadership would hold a meeting on 21 January to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and decide next steps.

Natesan also criticised V.D. Satheesan for remarks made during the ‘Kerala Yatra’ programme organised by the Kerala Muslim Jamaat, calling them “against the interests of the Ezhava community.” He stressed the importance of unity among marginalised groups, including Christians, and underlined that collaboration between SNDP and NSS is vital in the current social climate.

Nair added that previous tensions between the two organisations no longer exist.

“When I was unwell, I called to check on him. Old differences no longer exist between the two groups,” he said. He reaffirmed that both NSS and SNDP aim to work together and plan to meet during the Perunnayi celebrations.

He also accused the UDF of fostering past conflicts and dismissed suggestions of political gain, stating:

“What will we gain if Ramesh Chennithala becomes Chief Minister? None of them is suitable. Let them see the consequences of holding power.”

Implications for Kerala’s socio-political landscape

The statements from both SNDP and NSS indicate a potential shift in Kerala’s socio-political dynamics ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Long-standing differences are giving way to dialogue and collaboration, signalling a possible realignment of community influence in the state.