THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan was keen to see that his Samatwa Munnetta Yatra kept BJP leaders at arm’s length.
But he seems to have changed tack after his insensitive comments against Noushad, who died trying to save two migrant labourers, met with flak and legal action. Now, BJP leaders are making a beeline to Mr Natesan and rallying behind him like never before.
A day before Mr Natesan’s Yatra began from Madhur Sidhivinayaka Temple, he had reacted against BJP State president V. Muraleedharan. But as a damage-control measure, Mr Muraleedharan rushed to Kasaragod and shared the limelight with him.
But once the yatra was kicked off, BJP leaders were kept at an arm’s length while RSS district leaders were taking part in the rally much to the chagrin of the BJP leadership.
On Tuesday, Mr Muraleedharan told reporters in Kozhikode after meeting the bereaved family of Noushad that the UDF government misinterpreted his comments.
Immediately after that, his trusted lieutenant and BJP general secretary K. Surendran held a press meet at Mararji Bhavan here alleging that the government had been trying to create polarisation in the state.
BJP national executive member Sobha Surendran held a press meet in the state capital to raise similar charges.
“Vellapally who has been accused of creating inequality and imbalance in the State is now being sent to the jail. His arrest will set in an undeclared emergency,” said Ms Surendran.
On Monday, former BJP State president and BJP national executive member P. K. Krishnadas too had rallied behind the SNDP leader issuing a similar statement.
Mr Natesan had reportedly stated that there was discrimination on the part of the government in distributing financial aid.
Natesan calls Noushad youth role model
Two days after his alleged inflammatory remarks drew wide criticism, SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellapally Natesan on Tuesday claimed a section of media twisted what he spoke of Naushad Kuruvissery, an autorickshaw driver who died while trying to rescue two migrant workers trapped in a manhole in Kozhikode.
“Naushad, the youth, actually is a role model for today’s generation…He tried to save the two men without bothering own life. I sincerely pray his soul rest in peace,” Vellapally said in his Facebook post.
Speaking at the reception given to his Samatwa Munneeta Yatra in Aluva on Sunday Vellapally said “if you die in Kerala you should die as a Muslim” referring to the promise made by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to the family of Naushad.
"My organisation and myself are glad that the government has acted in a befitting manner to help out his family. I only said then that this should be the same in other cases too – to the kin of the adivasi families died of shock or to the family of the jawan who died for the cause of the country,” he said.
