Thiruvananthapuram: Following the Left Democratic Front’s recent debacle in the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) is facing significant backlash from the SNDP Yogam, a powerful social group representing the backward Hindu Ezhava community. The CPI(M) has accused the SNDP Yogam of supporting the BJP, a claim that SNDP general secretary Vellappally Natesan vehemently denies.
Natesan argues that the CPI(M) is targeting the SNDP Yogam because it failed to secure votes from backward communities. He emphasizes that the SNDP Yogam, which has members from various political parties, does not want to saffronize its organization but will voice issue-based views. Natesan suggests that the CPI(M) should take responsibility for its electoral defeat instead of blaming the SNDP.
Natesan cites several reasons for the shift of backward communities away from the CPI(M). He points to the government's failure to deliver promised welfare pensions, which adversely affected weaker sections. He also criticizes the CPI(M) for its focus on minority appeasement during the elections, particularly the Palestine issue, which he believes overshadowed the needs of backward communities. This, according to Natesan, led to a loss of traditional Hindu votes as the CPI(M) attempted to court Muslim voters, who ultimately supported the Congress.
Despite the current drift of Ezhava voters away from the Left, Natesan believes this shift is not permanent. He asserts that if the CPI(M) corrects its stance, these voters could return. However, he acknowledges that some Hindu voters have started favoring the BJP, viewing it as a temporary phenomenon.
Natesan's son, Thushar Vellappally, leads the SNDP Yogam's political wing, the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), which is an NDA constituent. While some blame Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's style for the Left's setback, Natesan disagrees, stating that Vijayan's style has remained consistent since he assumed office. Instead, he emphasizes the lack of adequate space given to backward communities by the government and the party.