SNDP Yogam and NSS Unity Talks Fail Amid Rising Tensions

Thiruvananthapuram: The proposed unity initiative between SNDP Yogam and Nair Service Society (NSS) has officially come to an end. Both organisations issued separate statements following escalating public disagreements between their leaders, Vellapalli Natesan of SNDP Yogam and Sukumaran Nair of NSS.

Vellapalli Natesan, General Secretary of SNDP Yogam, described NSS General Secretary Sukumaran Nair as a “respected and selfless” leader. He clarified that SNDP Yogam holds no bitterness or opposition regarding NSS’s decision to withdraw from the unity talks.

Natesan emphasised that the Nair community is a “brotherly community” and urged that no criticism be directed at either the Nair community or the NSS.

Responding to Natesan’s remarks, Sukumaran Nair categorically denied any external pressure influencing NSS’s decision. He stated that the decision was entirely based on internal assessments and concerns over the nature of the proposed unity.

Nair explained, “There was no outside interference in NSS’s withdrawal from the unity talks.” He further detailed that the sequence of events began when Natesan’s son, Tushar Vellapalli, contacted him expressing intent to meet after three days. Nair questioned the need for such a delay and had already conveyed that Vellapalli’s visit was unnecessary, given his political role as the coordinator of the BJP-led NDA in Kerala.

Highlighting the political implications, Nair said, “Considering Tushar’s position, doubts arose about the political motives behind the unity talks.” He stressed that NSS has always maintained equal distance from all political parties, and any attempt to blur this stance is unacceptable.

Clarifying NSS’s position, Nair stated that the doors to unity talks are now “permanently closed.”

Meanwhile, Vellapalli reiterated that his opposition was solely against the Muslim League and not the Muslim community. He expressed concern that attempts are being made to portray him as anti-Muslim.

He also criticised media outlets for sensationalising selective statements, asserting that his words were being misunderstood.

This development abruptly ended the proposed SNDP-NSS unity initiative, reflecting the growing mistrust and political complexities within Kerala’s socio-political landscape, especially regarding community-based alliances.