NSS calls Nair-Ezhava alliance a closed chapter; SNDP leaves option open

Even as the Nair Service Society (NSS) has unilaterally withdrawn from the proposed Nair-Ezhava alliance, describing it as a ‘closed chapter,’ the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) on Wednesday said it would keep its doors open for the NSS.

Addressing a general body meeting of the SN Trust in Cherthala, SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan attributed the collapse of the unity move to the NSS board of directors and voiced support for NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair.

“The NSS board took certain decisions regarding unity. As the general secretary of the organisation, it was his responsibility to convey those decisions to us. The Nair community is our brother community, and no one should disown the NSS because of this decision. Some politicians are craving for our blood. Unity will eventually happen, if not today, then tomorrow,” Mr. Natesan said.

The NSS, however, maintained that it withdrew from the initiative due to suspicions that Mr. Natesan and his son, Thushar Vellappally, were attempting to politically leverage the Nair community with the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party. While the NSS had initially welcomed the unity proposal, it later concluded that the involvement of Mr. Vellappally, who is the national president of the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, a BJP ally, would ultimately benefit the BJP.

Responding to Mr. Natesan’s remarks, Mr. Nair rejected claims that the NSS board was responsible for the failure of the unity initiative. He clarified that the proposal to withdraw from the alliance was made by him and was unanimously approved by the board.

“It was inappropriate for Mr. Natesan to appoint his son, Thushar Vellappally, who has clear political ambitions, to hold discussions on unity. He was not the right person for such talks. This concern was conveyed directly to Mr. Natesan over the phone,” Mr. Nair said.

Mr. Nair added that the NSS had no objection to Mr. Natesan receiving a Padma award. “I strongly suspect political motives behind the unity proposal. When an NDA leader like Thushar is involved, it could create the impression that the NSS is aligning with the BJP, which we want to avoid. We are not opposed to any religion or organisation,” he said.