Additionally Learn: Political messaging in Padma awards: Ballot-bound Kerala & Bengal determine excessive in cross-party outreach

Political calculations

Based in 1914, the NSS is thought for sustaining “equidistance” from all political events, although it’s largely seen as near the Congress-led United Democratic Entrance (UDF). The SNDP chief maintains shut ties with the Communist Social gathering of India (Marxist) management, whereas his son’s BDJS is aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Social gathering-led Nationwide Democratic Alliance.

“The NSS’s determination would have been to not lose its political bargaining energy with the Congress, it enjoys. Sukumaran Nair is now saying that the SNDP has political motives. It wasn’t unknown. He would have understood the BJP’s design. He’s not an individual who would love Vellappally getting Padma Bhushan as an alternative of him,” Joseph C. Mathew, a political analyst primarily based in Kerala, stated, including that the proposed ‘Hindu unity’ for the SNDP would have been with the BJP or the Left.

“As Sukumaran Nair is anxious, he is not going to get the bargaining energy he has with every other fronts,” he stated, warning that if the NSS breaks away from the UDF resulting from a rift with opposition chief V.D. Satheesan and the UDF wins the polls, Sukumaran Nair would lose his fame.

The Padma angle

The event follows Sunday’s Padma Bhushan announcement for Natesan, who has courted controversy in latest months with repeated remarks in opposition to the Muslim group and the Muslim-dominated Malappuram district.

In April 2025, Natesan stated Malappuram district was like one other state, dominated by one group, the place backward individuals can’t dwell freely. Earlier this month, he was named in a police criticism after calling a Muslim journalist a terrorist throughout a press interplay.

Whereas these statements drew criticism from the Communist Social gathering of India (Marxist), the occasion stated it respects the chief and the organisation, however iterated that it’s going to not be accountable for his statements.

Transient risk of alliance

The unity dialogue started final week after Natesan stated on 18 January that the unity of communities from “Nayadi (looking group) to Nasrani (Christian)” was important.

“When different communities stand united and acquire from it, it’s not appropriate for the Hindu communities to face divided within the current instances. The group members want for his or her unity,” Natesan had instructed reporters in Alappuzha.

Sukumaran Nair initially responded positively, saying unity may very well be attainable with out exterior political assist. On the identical day, Nair additionally focused Satheesan for alleged “hypocrisy” and stated the opposition chief’s statements have been undermining Congress state chief Sunny Joseph.

Natesan additionally criticised Satheesan, calling him a “flower that bloomed simply yesterday”, implying his lack of expertise. The SNDP chief declined to touch upon Monday’s improvement, saying he wants extra time to grasp the NSS stand and their assertion.

Reacting to the reversal, Satheesan stated the UDF is not going to intervene in inside group issues. “The communities resolve the choice on unity. We is not going to intervene in such inside issues. We don’t have any opinion on it. They are going to have their very own causes to unite or not. It’s not one thing that considerations us.”

(Edited by Prerna Madan)