Thiruvananthapuram: It came as a surprise to many, especially BJP leaders, when SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan announced that there was no tie-up with the BJP.
Insiders say this is a double game being played by the wily Vellapally Natesan, though his initial pro-BJP gesturing was destined to attract much flak from even disciples of Sree Narayana Guru. It also exposes how unprepared was Mr Natesan in charting a sensible political course.
Now the realization has dawned late in the day that many Guru bhakts loath the company of Singhals and Togadias. This forced Mr Natesan to make a U-turn and appear secular. But he deputed his son and Yogam vice-president Tushar Vellapally to meet up with RSS leaders in Palakkad. He is in two boats and the outcome may not be hard to guess.
But state BJP leaders assert that they have already decided to associate with the Yogam in local polls and negotiations are midway across the State. On Wednesday, Mr. Natesan told reporters in Kanichukulangara that the Yogam had decided not to join hands with the BJP. Many leaders were caught unawares. But sources close to him and a senior BJP leader told DC that senior-level talks between them had not taken place.
It is not anyone’s fault, they insist giving a clean chit to state BJP president V. Muraleedharan, as the crucial move came from Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s international working president Ashok Kumar Singhal. The VHP leader was also instrumental in roping in Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to inaugurate the Samastha Munetta Yatra on Nov 23 from Kasaragod.
“It is true that Mr. Natesan is unhappy with the state BJP leadership as things are not moving as per his earlier plans. Yogam leadership has decided to lend support to independent candidates with the support of BJP in the local body elections,” said a top BJP leader.
Ironically, the Rath Yatra was initially named as Kerala Samrakshana Yatra by Yogam vice-president Tushar Vellappally. BJP sources confirmed that the pressure from VHP leadership forced the change in name. Senior BJP leader O. Rajagopal told DC that only when long-term plans are ready, state leaders have to be taken into confidence.
He said, currently, no concrete proposal has come forth. Meanwhile, BJP state vice-president M. T. Ramesh said local level talks have already been initiated between BJP and Yogam, and there was no question of parting ways. However, another senior BJP leader said under anonymity that Mr. Natesan turned to much saleable ‘secular front’ hoping Christian support.
“How can Mr. Natesan claim to have Hindu consolidation while initiating talks with the Christian leaders?,” asked a senior BJP leader.
“But he would have to show the Yogam’s strength in the local elections before going for a major tie-up with the BJP before the 2016 assembly elections.”
