In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming Kerala assembly elections, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prakash Javadekar met with SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan. The closed-door meeting took place at Natesan's private residence in Kanichukulangara, Alappuzha, on Sunday and lasted for several hours.
A Strategic Meeting Amid Election Season
The visit by the BJP's Kerala in-charge is widely viewed as a strategic move to bring the influential Ezhava community leader closer to the party's fold. With the state assembly polls expected to be announced in the coming months, such alliances are crucial for altering political equations. Natesan, despite his son Thushar Vellappally leading the BJP's ally Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), has largely been seen as politically favouring the CPI(M).
Other local BJP leaders, including Sandeep Vachaspati, were also present during the lengthy discussion. Javadekar later described the encounter as a "friendly" meeting. He expressed his happiness at meeting Natesan and said he was inspired by the SNDP leader's efforts, particularly how he built the organization from its early days when he was just in his twenties.
Javadekar Backs Natesan Amid Controversy
The high-profile meeting occurred against the backdrop of recent controversies involving Vellappally Natesan. Just days before, on Friday, Natesan had stirred a major row during a press meet in Alappuzha by labeling a journalist a "terrorist." When pressed by reporters to justify his remark, Natesan became agitated and alleged that the journalist had been sent with a specific agenda to portray him as anti-religious and anti-Muslim.
Prakash Javadekar publicly backed Natesan amid this ongoing criticism. The BJP leader's support extended to Natesan's other contentious remarks, including his complaints about SNDP not being allowed to start an educational institution in the Muslim-majority Malappuram district. These comments had drawn sharp criticism from the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF).
Political Implications for Kerala
This meeting signals the BJP's intensified efforts to expand its base in Kerala by reaching out to key social and community organizations. The SNDP Yogam, representing the economically and numerically significant Ezhava community, is a major force in the state's socio-political landscape. While Natesan has not openly criticized the BJP, securing his overt support could be a game-changer for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming electoral battle.
The presence of Natesan's son, Thushar, as the head of the NDA constituent BDJS, adds another layer to this complex political dynamic. The outcome of this outreach could potentially reshape alliances and influence voter sentiment across various districts as Kerala prepares for a tightly contested election.
