Thiruvananthapuram: SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan, who held talks with BJP national president Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday, said the SNDP would associate with any political party that protects the Ezhava community’s interests. “Hindus need social justice and it is high time different sections of the community joined hands,” he said.
More talks with the BJP central leadership are expected after August 15. He was accompanied by son Tushar Vellapally, BJP state president V. Muraleedharan, international working president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Ashok Kumar Singhal, and Karnataka MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.
Mr Natesan said that the SNDP Yogam had no untouchability towards the BJP. “Why should we show untouchability towards the BJP when it’s the ruling party of the country? We have told Amit Shah that we wish to see all the majority communities coming on a single platform because all the political forces are ignoring our cause. He agreed that majority communities are being sidelined. They also require social justice,” said Mr Natesan. He maintained that the SNDP had no qualms in joining hands with anyone who would protect the rights of the major communities.
“We are not the stooge of any political party. We did not discuss a tie-up with the BJP. The SNDP Yogam can form a political party, but we will not do it. If we get love, we will return it as Ezhavas can be appeased only by giving love,” he said.
He was in Delhi to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to unveil R. Sankar’s statue in Kollam. Though they were supposed to meet the PM on Tuesday evening, due to the death of Dr. Kalam all his appointments were cancelled. Mr Natesan said they would come and invite Mr Modi again after August 15.
“The LDF has never given anything to the SNDP Yogam, but the Oommen Chandy Government has given something. There is nothing wrong with the LDF. However, its leaders have to change their working style or else the Aruvikkara fiasco would be repeated. I liked Opposition Leader V. S. Achuthanandan earlier and am not against Pinarayi Vijayan, former CPM secretary. But he wouldn’t smile even if he is tickled,” added Mr Natesan.
