SNDP Yogam rules out any "friendship" with BJP

The BJP's move to expand its base in Kerala with the support of numerically-strong Hindu Eazhava community today suffered a set back with the leader of SNDP Yogam stressing that there was no chance of any alliance with the saffron party in the state.
Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam is a prominent social organisation of Ezhava community in Kerala.
BJP leader and Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti had met Vellappally Natesan, General Secretary of SNDP Yogam, at his residence here yesterday.
"We will not have any friendship with the BJP. Don't expect it (from SNDP). The SNDP Yogam will not have any friendship with the Communists and Congress. I understand that the people of state are waiting for a political alternative. Because I don't see any chance of BJP opening an account in the state. The Left Democratic Front has become irrelevant," Natesan said after the budget session of the Yogam at Chertala in the district.

He said politicians will be invited to SNDP programmes only after "well thought" has been given.
Natesan's statement came amid BJP's bid to cement ties with the SNDP Yogam, founded by renowned social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, who gave the message of 'One caste, one religion and One God to mankind.'

Jyoti's meeting with Natesan on Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi day yesterday was seen as significant as it came nearly a month after the SNDP leader met BJP President Amit Shah in New Delhi and discussed the political situation and the problems faced by the Hindu community in the state.

The meeting was widely seen as BJP's attempt to expand its base in the state.
Though BJP's vote share has been increasing in the state recently, the party had so far failed to win a seat in the Assembly or Parliament from Kerala.
The Left parties, led by veteran CPI (M) leader V S Achuthanandan, had taken a dim view of the SNDP's move towards "Hindutva forces", arguing that it went totally against the ideals of Sree Narayana Guru.
Inaugurating Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi celebrations at Mambuzhakkari near here yesterday, Achuthanandan, who enjoys considerable clout among Eazhavas, had launched a veiled attack on Natesan, saying that "attempts to project Guru as a leader of the Ezhava community alone and to make him a private property should be looked upon with due seriousness".

Natesan today hit back at Achuthanandan asking him to at least visit Guru's samadhi in Sivagiri as a pilgrim and learn history of the Yogam.