Vellappally Natesan’s Padma Bhushan honor has ignited cheers and debates across Kerala. The SNDP Yogam General Secretary, voice of the Ezhava masses, wasted no time thanking PM Narendra Modi. ‘Unexpectedly, someone collected my details and recommended me – my thanks to them and especially Modi ji,’ he told media in Alappuzha on January 30, noting the absence of state sponsorship.
This accolade crowns Natesan’s lifelong crusade for Ezhava empowerment, drawing national eyes to Kerala’s social reformers. Yet, celebrations mingled with controversy as Natesan pivoted to assail Congress for its tight grip by the Muslim League. He depicted the League as a divisive force preying on Hindu rifts in Hindu-populated Muslim areas for votes.
Natesan zeroed in on UDF malpractices: Ministers selected and portfolios divvied up from party offices, with Oommen Chandy’s CM ascension as exhibit A. ‘Chief Ministers must control this, not religious overlords – it’s dismantling Kerala’s brotherhood ethos,’ he thundered. For Priyanka Gandhi eyeing Wayanad, he predicted League-dominated Malappuram support as indispensable, cementing Congress’s vassal status.
Historical slights fueled his ire: UDF ignored SNDP pleas for a Malappuram primary school, prioritizing self-preservation. ‘Their no-application excuse is pure deception,’ he shot back. Conversely, he extolled Pinarayi Vijayan’s LDF for 9.5 years of tranquility, citing UDF-linked Marad riots’ bloody toll as a damning contrast.
Natesan’s dual message – appreciation for Modi’s inclusivity and rebuke of Congress tactics – positions him as a pivotal figure. In election-bound Kerala, this could sway Ezhava loyalties, highlighting tensions between communal harmony, governance lapses, and national awards’ symbolic power.