SNDP, NSS Leaders Slam Satheesan, Stress Unity Among Communities

Alappuzha/Kottayam: Leaders of SNDP Yogam and NSS launched sharp criticism against Opposition Leader V D Satheesan, accusing him of political double standards, while stressing the need for unity between community organisations.

SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan said unity is essential in the present political climate and alleged that the Muslim League was responsible for creating differences between NSS and SNDP. He denied being anti -Muslim and said his remarks in Malappuram were distorted to brand him as communal. Vellappally said he respects the Muslim community but opposes the communal politics of the Muslim League. He challenged senior Congress leaders to state openly if they consider him a communalist.

NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair strongly criticised V D Satheesan, saying there is no link between his words and actions. He said Satheesan had repeatedly sought the support of NSS during the last Assembly election and accused him of hypocrisy for later advising leaders not to approach community organisations. Sukumaran Nair said Satheesan had insulted not just NSS but all community bodies and warned that such a stance would lead to electoral setbacks for the Congress.

Referring to BJP leader and actor Suresh Gopi, Sukumaran Nair said BJP cannot politically “capture” NSS the way it did in Thrissur. He said Suresh Gopi had once visited the NSS headquarters with political objectives, but asserted that NSS would maintain its independence. He questioned BJP’s opposition to SNDP–NSS unity if it truly believes in Hindu unity.

Sukumaran Nair said unity with SNDP is the need of the hour and announced that a joint meeting of NSS and SNDP will be held on the 21st. He added that NSS maintains equal distance from all political parties and will not support division against any community or religion.