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New Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
If UDF fails, will quit electoral politics: LoP V D Satheesan
KOCHI: Expressing strong confidence in the UDF's victory in the upcoming assembly elections, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan on Monday said that he would keep away from electoral politics if the front fails to secure a resounding win. Responding to the remarks made by SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan against him, Satheesan said he would not engage in personal attacks but is ready to accept Natesan's challenge regarding the UDF's performance in the upcoming polls. 'I am not interested in engaging in an argument with him (Natesan). But he himself has stated that he would step down from his post if the UDF wins 98 seats. That means even he doesn't doubt the possibility of us winning 97 seats in the Assembly election,' said Satheesan. With continued hard work, we will go beyond that number, he added. However, Satheesan made it clear that he is not demanding Natesan's resignation in return. 'Let him remain in that position for a lifetime,' Satheesan said. Commenting on the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh on charges of forced religious conversion, Satheesan pointed out that the Christian community is one of the most vulnerable in the current political scenario. 'Priests and nuns are being frequently attacked, especially in BJP-ruled states like Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra,' he said.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Will quit post if UDF wins 100 seats in Kerala assembly election 2026: Vellappally Natesan
KOCHI: Asserting that the Congress-led UDF will not be able to win the 2026 assembly elections, SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan on Sunday challenged Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, saying he will resign from his post if the UDF secures 100 seats. 'Satheesan is merely boasting by saying that the UDF will win 100 seats. If it manages to win that many seats, then I will resign from the SNDP Yogam general secretary post. (Otherwise) Is he ready to go into political exile? The LDF will enjoy a third term in power... their (Congress') Thiruvananthapuram district president itself said so,' Vellappally said. His continued tirade against Satheesan came at separate meetings of SNDP Yogam union leaders in North Paravoor and Kochi. Vellappally continues tirade against Satheesan, calls him arrogant leader Calling Satheesan an 'arrogant leader', Vellappally claimed that the same leader of Opposition who had called him three weeks ago, seeking a one-to-one meeting, was now raising charges against him. 'He thinks he is a superstar... He is trying to create confusion in the minds of the Ezhava community by claiming their support in his constituency. The community should be cautious against such false appeasing attempts,' Vellappally said, while speaking at a meeting of the SNDP union leaders of Kanayannur taluk held at Palarivattom.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Have nothing to say: Kerala LoP Satheesan on Vellappally's derogatory remark
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Replying to SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan's accusation that Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan harbours anti-Ezhava sentiments, the latter said that 'he has nothing to say.' Satheesan said he had just pointed out the fact that Vellappally's statements were against the philosophy of Sree Narayana Guru. Earlier in the day, Vellappally had come down heavily against Satheesan for 'nursing chief ministerial ambition.' Vellappally also said that Satheesan is 'keeping an anti-Ezhava stance.' 'My voters knew better than anyone else. In my constituency, about 52% of voters are from the Ezhava community. What did I say against the Ezhava community? I like Guru and believe in his philosophy. I will oppose anyone who is making such communal statements,' he said. He also downplayed the social media campaigns comparing the last journeys of former CMs Oommen Chandy and V S Achuthanandan. 'The vehicle which carried the body of Oommen Chandy travelled to Kottayam through MC Road and the funeral procession of VS travelled through MG Road and his body was cremated in Alappuzha. People liked these two leaders. The government arrested persons who made derogatory remarks against VS from their houses. However, the police did not act against those who denounced Oommen Chandy,' he added. Satheesan also alleged that there were widespread irregularities in the voters list published by the State Election Commission. 'The names of many people who had voted in the last election were omitted. However, the names of those who died three or four years ago are included in the list. It is wrong to set the deadline to include names in the voters list as 15 days. The delimitation has been completed in violation of HC's instructions. If the commission did not take action to review the list, the UDF will take legal recourse,' he said.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CPM bats for minority rights
Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretariat distanced itself from statements made by SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan against Muslim community. In a statement issued on Sunday, the secretariat said, "While anyone may raise community issues, it must not be done in a way that incites religious hatred. " SNDP, founded by Sree Narayana Guru—who upheld the unity of religions—should adopt positions that promote secularism, the statement said. The party stressed that safeguarding minority rights is essential to preserving secularism. Only in a secular society, it said, can people of all faiths and non-believers live and function democratically. The govt, it noted, is committed to hearing the concerns of all communities and addressing them through missions, welfare schemes and poverty alleviation programmes that benefit the poor across all sections. Kerala's renaissance movements played a major role in advancing social progress. CPM said it has continued that legacy by embracing the social justice values of those movements, while protecting and uplifting marginalized communities. The party pointed out that efforts to communalize society aligns with corporate interests. The state's secular fabric, it said, can only be preserved by firmly resisting all forms of communalism.
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Vellappally under fire for remarks on Muslim population, but remains unfazed
KOCHI: Vellappally Natesan drew flak from all corners on Sunday for his remarks suggesting that the Muslim community was leveraging its growing population to dominate the state's administration. However, an unrelenting SNDP Yogam general secretary asserted that he would continue to speak for social justice, 'even if Kanthapuram (A P Aboobacker Musliyar) throws a spear at me.' Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan came down heavily on Vellappally, calling his remarks divisive and contrary to the ideals of Sree Narayana Guru. 'Kerala is home to people who respect the teachings of the Guru. What the SNDP general secretary is propagating is diametrically opposite to the Guru's teachings. These are not his (Vellappally's) words, they are being planted by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other CPM leaders,' Satheesan told reporters. The Opposition will firmly resist any campaign that spreads hatred or division, Satheesan said, adding it was no coincidence that such statements emerged just as the government faced public criticism over issues in the health and higher education sectors. Vellappally's contentious statement came on Saturday at a meeting of SNDP union leaders in Kottayam. He claimed that Muslims would soon become the majority in Kerala and that the government would then have no choice but to 'listen to Kanthapuram and govern accordingly.' The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) also lashed out, likening Vellappally to hardline Hindutva leaders. In a scathing editorial, its official organ Chandrika called Vellappally the 'Kerala Togadia'.
