Vellappally firm on new political party

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has said that he is determined to stick to his resolve to float a political party of majority communities despite the series of allegations now being mounted against him. Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by Kesari Journalist Trust here on Saturday, Natesan said the new political party would be launched on December 5 in Thiruvananthapuram at the end of a State-wide campaign across. He was quick to clarify that the SNDP had decided not to float a political party.

He would not be at the helm of affairs of the new outfit and preferred to remain as general secretary of the SNDP for the next five years of the remainder of his term in office. There were several attempts to block him from floating a party, including mounting charges of corruption against him. He was undeterred by these and would work towards achieving the objective of having a party for the majority communities that would jostle for its rightful place in the State’s polity, he said.

He was certain that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would corner larger number of votes in this election, but was unsure about which of the two main coalitions — the Left Democratic Front or the United Democratic Front — would be the losers. The ties with the BJP had a positive effect, with both the rival fronts coming up with several offers, including tickets to contest in the election.

In reply to a question, Natesan said in his earlier days as general secretary, he did take the initiative to form a Backward Class Reservation Front in association with the Indian Union Muslim League and other affected organisations. But he dropped the move midway because he discovered that it was a losing preposition, with the SNDP workers being reduced to mere flag bearers and the benefits being cornered by other sections.