For the first time after the much-celebrated unity announcement by the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam — which forced political parties in the State rework their strategies — the NSS leadership has come out with a word of caution against any move that would leave chinks in their armour.
When mediapersons who met NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair on Wednesday asked him whether the voices emanating from the SNDP Yogam headquarters sound a different signal, Mr. Nair replied that he too was aware of it, but made it clear that the NSS had not moved a step backward from its avowed stance on the unity of the majority community.
Later, speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Nair pointed out that even at the outset of the unity efforts, it was decided that both the organisations were free to pursue their own lines politically, so that the self-interests of both could be protected. However, the NSS chief said, all involved in the unity endeavour should be cautious not to take political stands that would affect the efforts.
While the NSS would like to keep the situation under control and remain tight-lipped on the issue, its leadership appears to be of the view that some of the actions of the SNDP are not conducive to the unity movement.
The early signs of misgivings cropped up when the SNDP leadership developed cold feet over the idea of relinquishing all positions provided by the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF). The extreme step was taken after the UDF leadership failed to take disciplinary action against the Alappuzha District Congress Committee which had adopted a resolution criticising both Mr. Nair and SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan. While the NSS went ahead with the decision, hardly any SNDP representatives put the decision into practice.
The NSS leadership’s misgivings got strengthened when the SNDP leadership went ahead, without any discussion, to accept the offer of the UDF government which came up with a policy of sanctioning new schools.
The latest irritant in the relations appears to be the words of praise for Chief Minister Oommen Chandy from the SNDP leader. It also appears that there is a general sentiment among the community that one of the partners is taking undue advantage of the unity efforts, exploiting it as a tool to leverage more sops from the government. However, the NSS leadership is anxious to see the unity efforts moving forward and to ensure that it does not fall through for a third time.
