Congress toughens stand against Vellapally Natesan, demands resignation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress party has toughened its stand against SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan with KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran demanding his resignation, saying he was misusing his position for political gains and business interests.

Mr Sudheeran alleged that he didn't deserve the post, and his nefarious activities should end. He said the adjectives used against him the other day best suits no one else than himself.

“He has been using SNDP Yogam as a cover for his illegal activities,” he told reporters at the KPCC office. “(His views) are not suited to the country’s interests.”

Referring to the police booking him for attempts to disrupt communal harmony, he said the law applied to everyone. The ball is in the court of the home department to arrest him.

But, he said, people who witnessed his speech at Aluva could not be misled.

Mr Sudheeran had been harsh in his criticism against Mr Natesan when senior party leaders went soft on him. Over the last few days, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy also lashed out at the SNDP Yogam–BJP alliance saying it defied Kerala’s tradition of tolerance and religious harmony.

There was an understanding within the KPCC that Mr Chandy with his secular approach should tone down words against Sangh Parivar, and Mr Sudheeran should lead the attack. To some extent, home minister Ramesh Chennithala too made his stand clear against SNDP joining them.

Vellappally says Sudheeran is modern day Tughlaq

KPCC president VM Sudheeran is a modern day Tughlaq and his reforms will prove disastrous for Congress in Kerala, said SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan.

Addressing a meeting on the second day of his Samatwa Munnetta Yatra in Alapuzha district Natesan said Sudheeran is known for his impractical reforms. Natesan also said that Sudheeran is despised by both factions in the state unit of the congress and a liability for the congress-led United Democratic Front.

The SNDP leader planning to announce the formation of a new political party on December 5 at Thiruvanathapuram has also lashed out against CPM and its leader VS Achuthanandan. Pinarayi Vijayan, the CPM politburo member has successfully thwarted the ambition of Achuthanandan to become the state chief minister for a second term, Vellapally said. The Yatra by Vellappally with the support of BJP and other Sangh Parivar entities have been facing severe criticism from CPM and congress in Kerala.