With his disqualification as the general secretary of the SNDP Yogam, Natesan is expected to lose much of this influence and may face increasing pressure from rival factions within the organisation.
The Padma award to the undisputed Ezhava leader is politically significant as major fronts have been trying to make inroads into the community’s vote base.
In a Facebook post, Panthaloor said Vellappally was “spewing venom across Kerala” and questioned why the government was now “shielding” him instead of curbing his remarks.
Vellappally said whenever he cited these figures, the League attempted to label him a religious fanatic and accuse him of targeting the Muslim community.
The issue began when reporters asked Natesan about the criticism against him in connection with the ruling LDF's debacle in the recent local body polls.
