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The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is continuously trying to return to power in Kerala. On the other hand, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is trying to retain power. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is rapidly making its place in Kerala with its Hindutva ideology. Both Left and UDF talk about fighting against this ideology. Meanwhile, a leader has created differences in the Left alliance of Kerala itself. The reason is that this leader of the Left faction has been in the news for his statements against Muslims. Now Communist Party of India (CPI) and Marxist Communist Party (CPM) have clashed over this Vellappalli Natesan. One faction wants distance from Natesan at any cost while the other faction wants to take him along.

Vellappalli Natesan, who became the reason for the fight between the two Left parties, has emerged rapidly in Kerala politics in the last few years. Sometimes he sits together on the stage with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and sometimes gives statements against Muslims. The same Vellapalli Natesan was telling in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections that the public sentiment is in favor of NDA and BJP will benefit from it. He also has his own party and this party has also been contesting elections. Now Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is in favor of this Vellappalli Natesan and CPI Kerala General Secretary Binoy Viswam is opposing him. Binoy does not like Natesan under any circumstances and wants to maintain distance from him during election time.

UDF proved to be very effective in the recently held civic elections and the ruling party suffered a major setback. Indian Union Muslim League is also included in this opposition UDF. Regarding this IUML, Natesan had said that it is trying to create communal riots in Kerala. He even called a TV journalist a ‘terrorist’. A major reason for this is that IUML had not given permission to Natesan’s organization SNDP to open an educational institution in Malappuram. Due to many such reasons, he has emerged as a staunch opponent of IUML. He had alleged that IUML wants to create anti-Ezhava atmosphere among Muslims.

Why is there conflict between the left?

Natesan, who has talked about NDA’s victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, recently announced his support to LDF and said that Pinarayi Vijayan will become the CM of Kerala for the third time. While going to Pamba for the Global Ayyappa Devoti Sangamam program in September 2025, CM Pinarayi Vijayan had also taken Natesan in his car. Referring to this incident, Binoy Viswam said, ‘I can shake hands with Natesan but will never take him in my car.’ Binoy even said that Natesan has no right to say anything about the performance of LDF.

After the setback suffered by LDF in the recent civic elections, CPI believes that Natesan’s anti-minority statements and his closeness to the Left have caused loss to LDF. In these results, the Congress-led UDF had won 4 out of 6 municipal corporations, 54 out of 86 municipalities, 79 out of 152 block panchayats and 504 out of 941 gram panchayats.

Interestingly, about a decade ago, when Pinarayi Vijayan had not become the Chief Minister and CPM was the State Secretary of Kerala, he used to be Natesan’s opponent. He had then said, ‘Natesan’s tongue spews venom against minorities.’ Not only this, CPM compared Natesan with Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia and even called him ‘Togadia of Kerala’.

Seeing Natesan’s rise in the last few years, Pinarayi Vijayan has changed his opinion about him. This is why Binoy sarcastically says, ‘Pinarai Vijayan is not Binoy Vishwam. Their opinion may be different but I still believe that whatever I did was right. Despite such statements by Natesan, CPM seems soft towards him. It is believed that after the Muslim votes dispersed in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, CPM is trying to bring Hindu voters with itself. BJP also has its eyes on the Ezhava community, hence CPM wants to keep Natesan with it.

Who is Vellapalli Natesan?

In Kerala, Ezhava caste comes among the backward castes (Hindu). Vellapalli is a leader of this caste and is the General Secretary of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP). SNDP started in Kerala in the year 1903 and its principle is ‘One Caste, One Religion and One God’. This organization has been running educational institutions across Kerala for many decades and organizes various events like medical camps at various places. Due to all these works, people of this caste are strongly associated with this organization.

Vellapalli Natesan as the leader leads this large section. Ezhavas constitute about 23 percent of the population of Kerala. This is the reason why all political parties want to keep people associated with this organization, Vellappalli Natesan and SNDP in their fold.

Relationship with BJP

Interestingly, Natesan’s son Tushar’s organization Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) is a part of the NDA in Kerala. Natesan formed the party a decade ago and traveled across Kerala to awaken Hindu sentiments. However, he keeps himself aside in politics and his son Tushar looks after the work of BJDS. However, Natesan continues to surprise everyone with his stance. Many times the opinions of father and son appear to be completely different.

Traditionally BJDS workers have been inclined towards the Left, which is why despite all the efforts, BJP is not able to strengthen its foothold in the Ezhava community.