Ezhava, Nair outfits coming closer to uphold 'Hindu interests'

The new found unity of the two influential units, which for long have been at divergent poles on caste-based reservation, is based on their contention that the genuine interests of the 'majority community' have been trampled on under the Congress-led UDF government in which Indian Union Muslim League and Christian-dominated Kerala Congress(M) are key partners and handle vital portfolios like Finance and Education.

Observers say though the chances of SNDP and NSS coming on a joint political platform are remote, their united moves are certain to bring pressure on the Chandy government, whose policies on education sector have been attacked by the two community outfits in recent times.

The leadership meeting of SNDP at Munnar in Idukki in the last two days had authorised its general secretary Vellpally Natensan to take decision to cement the unity with NSS.

On its part, SNDP is keen to expand the unity plank by enlisting the support of all non-political Hindu outfits representing communities from Dalits to Brahmins.

The director board of NSS, which met at its headquarters at Perunna in Kottayam yesterday, reciprocated the SNDP move by entrusting its general secretary G Sukumaran Nair to go ahead with plans to create a joint platform of the two communities, who together constitute a majority of the Hindu fold.

Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, known in local parlance as SNDP, was founded a century back on the principles of saint-reformer Sreenarayana Guru who preached the message "one caste, one religion and one God for men" and pioneered the social reform movement in Kerala.

NSS was founded at the initiative of Mannath Padmanabhan to save the Nairs from social and economic degradation last century. (MORE)