Vellapally Natesan denies BJP tieup, bets on new secular front

Alappuzha: The SNDP Yogam will form a new secular front with the cooperation of all like-minded parties, including the Kerala Congress (Mani), according to Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan. He told reporters on Wednesday that the Yogam had not established any ties with the political parties, including the BJP.

The Yogam had no enmity towards anyone.  “It  will not form a political party alone, but with the support  from all political parties. Right now, we are concentrating on the ‘Samathwa Munnetta Yathra’ (Equality Progressive March),”  he said.

He denied that the Yogam had tied up with the BJP.  If there was any connection with the BJP, there was no need for a third front, he said. The Yogam was not  working as per the wishes of the BJP. “With the Yogam deciding to form a third front, all political parties are in panic. None can derail our move,” he said.              

Reacting to the allegations levelled against him by Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan on Wedn-esday, he said that the people would reject them with disdain. “Vested groups had raised  allegations aga-inst the former Yogam general secretaries Kumaran Asan and R. Shankar too. VS is raising  baseless allegations and I will not react to them,” he said.

“The Thrissur Vigilance Court had conducted an inquiry into a case many years ago and it was  closed in favour of me...”

“VS is dancing to the tune of the other CPM leaders to improve  the party image before the upcoming elections.  I am glad about the unity of VS and Pinarayi against me. VS has got a promotion for criticising me,” he said.

“VS and Congress mouthpiece ‘Veekshanam’ are using the same kind of language to discredit me,” he added.