Nair outfit drops ‘Hindu unity’ plans with Ezhava leader Natesan’s SNDP: ‘Have doubts about their political motive’

“The unity is not practical. NSS-SNDP Yogam unity had failed to take off several times in the past. The present political atmosphere indicates that the latest unity move will fail. Hence, another attempt for NSS-SNDP Yogam unity is not practical, especially considering the equidistant stand of NSS towards all political parties. NSS wants to be in harmony with the SNDP, as it is with all other communities,” he said.

Sukumaran Nair later told the media that the organisation backtracked from the unity “because we have realised that there is a political intention behind that”. “We have doubts about their approach. They (SNDP Yogam) have deputed an NDA leader to hold discussions with us,” he said.

On January 21, the SNDP Yogam general council had adopted a resolution backing the Hindu unity plan, with Natesan’s son Thushar Vellappally tasked with holding further discussions with the NSS. Sukumaran Nair had promptly welcomed the resolution and announced that he would meet Thushar to work out the nitty-gritty of the unity.

Natesan had spoken of a wider unity, saying Christians would also be part of it — a move politically construed as mobilisation of the Hindu majority against Muslims. With around 27% of the population, the Ezhava community is the single largest segment in Kerala, while the Nair community accounts for around 14%.

A unity between the NSS and SNDP Yogam was seen as politically significant as it was expected ahead of the Assembly elections. A common factor favouring the move was the opposition of both Natesan and Sukumaran Nair to Opposition leader V D Satheesan, who is leading the Congress-led UDF in the elections. Satheesan has been critical of the “divisive politics” of Natesan targeting Muslims, while Nair was unhappy with Satheesan’s view that community leaders should not call the shots in Congress affairs.

While the Hindu unity call unsettled the UDF camp, the CPI(M)-led front — in a bid to consolidate Hindu support — read political intent behind the developments. While Natesan backs the CPI(M), his son Thushar is president of the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, an ally of the BJP in Kerala and NDA convener, making the move politically intriguing.

The Ezhava community has traditionally been pro-CPI(M), while the NSS has largely been seen as pro-Congress. At the same time, both communities have faced pressure from the BJP’s efforts to expand its Hindu vote base.

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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