A potential political alignment between the influential Nair Service Society (NSS) and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, particularly centered around the Sabarimala issue, is creating considerable political tension. The Congress party’s failure to mend fences with the NSS has left the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) vulnerable just before a series of upcoming elections.
Prominent UDF allies like the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Kerala Congress have openly voiced their frustration over the increasing disconnect between the Congress and these crucial community bodies. The IUML has even escalated its concerns to the Congress high command, while the NSS perceives the ongoing inaction as a blatant disregard for their interests.
According to sources within the NSS, the UDF seems to have lost its vital connection with the community since the demise of seasoned leaders like Oommen Chandy and K.M. Mani. Insiders note that, apart from a couple of MPs, no top Congress figure has directly reached out to address their concerns.
A Widening Rift
The NSS feels marginalized from crucial discussions concerning Hindu community affairs, a stark contrast to the era of Chandy and Mani. Persistent disagreements with key Congress figures, especially Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, continue to exacerbate this already strained relationship.
In stark contrast, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) has actively cultivated a relationship with the NSS, particularly on the sensitive Sabarimala issues, effectively mending fences that were damaged during the 2018 women’s entry protests. This consistent engagement has yielded political dividends, with both the NSS and SNDP publicly supporting the government’s stance on the Global Ayyappa Sangamam.
Meanwhile, the NSS appears to be navigating the Congress’s internal strife with caution. A senior Congress leader suggests that the NSS aims to prevent any fragmentation of Hindu votes that could inadvertently benefit the BJP. Therefore, as elections draw nearer, the NSS is anticipated to realign its support towards the UDF.
The Sabarimala Factor and Past Alliances
NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair’s recent and unprecedented public acknowledgment of the SNDP Yogam’s dedication to Sabarimala, along with his reciprocal praise, has fueled speculation about a potential alliance between these two powerful organizations. This marks the first significant warming of relations between the NSS and SNDP in over ten years, dating back to the unsuccessful Hindu Grand Alliance of 2012-2014. Historically, these two influential caste-based Hindu bodies have frequently been at odds, primarily over caste-based reservations. Despite a brief reconciliation in 2012, their alliance crumbled in 2014 due to disagreements surrounding the Devaswom Recruitment Board proposal.
Lingering tensions persisted, and in late 2014, the NSS openly resisted the SNDP’s efforts to form a broader Hindu alliance before the Lok Sabha elections, further widening their rift. However, these recent developments signal a potential end to their decades-old rivalry, an event that could profoundly alter Kerala’s political landscape.