The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam general secretary, Mr Vellapally Natesan, on Monday stoutly defended the chief minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, saying he should not be crucified for giving another minister to the League as it was a collective decision of the ruling United Democratic Front.
“The decision was taken by the UDF after it became clear that it had no other option. And Mr Ramesh Chennithala (KPCC president) was also party to the decision,” Mr Natesan told DC.
He said the Nair Service Society (NSS) was not the sole Hindu voice.
“The Ezhava-Nair unity is a closed chapter,” he said.
“The NSS has no right to complain against the League as the Nair community has representation beyond its strength in the UDF ministry unlike backward classes and SC/ST.”
(Nairs constitute roughly 12 per cent while the backward Ezhavas make up 23.5 percent of the population, accounting for the single largest Hindu community)Mr Natesan said Mr Chandy was hemmed in by coalition compulsions, with the League breathing down his neck. “Mr Chandy made a sacrifice by giving up Home to maintain communal balance. But he did not bother about us, the largest community”, said Mr Natesan.
The NSS general secretary, Mr G. Sukumaran Nair, said: “I don’t want to comment on Mr Natesan’s change of opinion. He changes his stand every now and then.”