Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 20 (NationPress) The political impasse between the Congress-led Opposition and significant community organizations in Kerala escalated on Tuesday when SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan launched a pointed critique against Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, urging the Congress national leadership to clarify its position.

In a strongly-worded Facebook post, Vellappally accused Satheesan of publicly undermining the SNDP Yogam and questioned if his statements mirrored the views of the Congress high command.

Characterizing Satheesan’s conduct as stemming from an “upper-caste feudal mindset,” Vellappally asserted that the Opposition leader had established a pattern of both directly and indirectly disparaging religious and community organizations.

Moreover, he inquired whether Satheesan’s statements were made with the awareness of Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who often invokes the principles of Sree Narayana Guru, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, regarded as a representative of backward and Dalit communities.

According to Vellappally, by attacking the SNDP Yogam, Satheesan was not just targeting a body grounded in Guru’s philosophy but was questioning the very reformist legacy associated with it.

The SNDP leader also accused Satheesan of political hypocrisy, alleging that while he claims to reject the influence of community leaders, he has spent significant time at the NSS headquarters and made discreet visits to church forums. He termed this a double standard, arguing that such actions contradict Satheesan’s proclaimed opposition to communal politics.

Despite the coordinated backlash from both the SNDP Yogam and the NSS, Satheesan has remained resolute.

Reaffirming his stance, the leader stated he would not budge “even an inch” from his position against communalism and clarified that engaging in discussions with community leaders does not equate to communal appeasement.

He emphasized that his remarks were aimed at communal politics, not directed at any specific organization.

While initial discomfort within Congress followed the backlash, efforts to rally internal opposition to Satheesan appeared to dissipate rapidly.

Senior figures Ramesh Chennithala and K. Muraleedharan publicly endorsed him, asserting that his remarks represented both the Congress and the UDF.

However, KPCC president Sunny Joseph and UDF convener Adoor Prakash refrained from offering explicit support, highlighting underlying tensions within the party.

This controversy has also shifted political alignments.

Following contentious remarks by State Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, Satheesan has gained noticeable support from Muslim organizations, with the Indian Union Muslim League openly backing him.

Even within Samastha, a leading Muslim organization that has often leaned towards the Left, dissent has emerged.

Satheesan has also intensified efforts to strengthen ties with various Christian denominations.

As the dispute escalates, it has transformed into a broader discussion on politics, leadership authority, and the Congress’ engagement with powerful social organizations — an issue likely to have electoral repercussions in the coming months.