ALAPPUZHA/KOTTAYAM: Showering accolades on the UDF leadership for the front’s sweeping victory in the assembly polls, the NSS and SNDP Yogam chiefs have indicated that they do not favour any particular candidate for the chief minister’s post and that they would stay neutral on the issue.
SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan told media in Alappuzha on Wednesday that all three Congress leaders in the race to become the next Kerala chief minister are capable and the decision on leadership ultimately rests with the Congress high command.
Stressing on neutrality, NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair said the organisation will not propose any name for the top post.
“The NSS has no issue with whoever assuming the chief minister’s post. The role should be filled by someone with talent and experience,” Nair said while interacting with media persons at Perunna.
Commenting on the possibility of V D Satheesan occupying the top post, Nair quipped, “Isn’t that the Congress’ decision? Shouldn’t it be accepted?”
However, he reminded that there are individuals within the party who are more senior than Satheesan. Nair clarified that his disagreements with Satheesan over the latter’s stand on certain issues still exists and that he would ask him to correct them.
On UDF’s victory, Nair said it is not attributable to any single individual’s efforts.
“It is a reflection of the public’s desire for change after being fed up with the current government.”
He also described the election outcome as “a victory for democracy”, asserting that the Left’s defeat was due to internal issues rather than anti-incumbency sentiments.
Nair maintained that the NSS headquarters did not issue any directive to community members to vote for any particular front.
Regarding the chances of AICC general secretary K C Venugopal assuming the chief minister’s post, he said: “Let the Congress decide; democracy is important, not the community.”
Heaping praise on the three contenders for the chief minister’s post, Vellappally said all of them are deserving leaders.
“The performance of Satheesan was impressive as the leader of opposition. The Muslim League also backs him,” Vellappally said.
“Venugopal is a highly capable and influential leader. He is one of the top leaders of the party, after Sonia Gandhi and the party president,” he said.
Crediting Venugopal for the massive victory of the UDF, he reminded that Venugopal played a key role in candidate selection, resolving internal disputes, and mobilising resources. “Funding is a major factor in elections and Venugopal has been instrumental in ensuring support for Congress candidates. He can govern the state even while based in Delhi,” Vellappally said.
Showering praise on senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, Vellappally highlighted his experience, administrative skills, and ability to unify leaders across factions.
Further, the SNDP Yogam chief termed IUML general secretary P K Kunhalikutty a moderate and widely accepted leader who secured votes across communities. However, he criticised the divisive stand of IUML leader K M Shaji.