BJP leader Javadekar calls on Vellappally

The recent meeting between senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar and Vellappally Natesan, the General Secretary of the influential Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam in Kerala, though described by the BJP as a 'friendly visit,' carries significant political weight. This interaction occurs amidst perceptions that Vellappally Natesan has been gravitating closer to the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, making the BJP's outreach particularly noteworthy in the complex political landscape of Kerala.

**Background Context and Key Stakeholders:**

Kerala's political history is largely defined by the alternating rule of two major coalitions: the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the CPI(M), and the United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Indian National Congress. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has historically struggled to establish a strong foothold in the state, despite its national dominance. However, it has been making concerted efforts to expand its base, often by attempting to consolidate support from various community organizations.

Vellappally Natesan is a pivotal figure in Kerala politics, heading the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam. The SNDP Yogam is a powerful socio-religious organization representing the Ezhava community, a numerically significant Other Backward Class (OBC) group in Kerala. Founded in 1903 by the revered social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, the SNDP has historically played a crucial role in social reform and community upliftment. Its political alignment can significantly influence electoral outcomes, particularly in central and southern Kerala where the Ezhava community has a strong presence. Prakash Javadekar, as a senior BJP leader, represents the national party's strategic interest in Kerala, aiming to broaden its appeal and challenge the entrenched LDF-UDF duopoly. The CPI(M) and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, leading the LDF government, are the other key stakeholders whose influence on Vellappally Natesan's perceived political alignment adds a layer of intrigue to the BJP's overture.

**Significance for India and Kerala:**

This seemingly 'friendly visit' is a microcosm of broader political realignments and strategies at play in India, especially concerning the BJP's 'Look South' policy. For Kerala, it underscores the enduring importance of caste and community dynamics in electoral politics. Despite Kerala's high literacy rates and progressive social indicators, community organizations like the SNDP Yogam continue to wield considerable influence over their respective vote banks. The BJP's move can be interpreted as an attempt to disrupt the perceived shift of the Ezhava community, or at least a section of it, towards the LDF, and to bring them back into its fold, potentially through the dormant Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) – a political party formed by Vellappally Natesan's son, Tushar Vellappally, which has been an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

**Historical Context and Future Implications:**

Historically, the SNDP Yogam has engaged with various political fronts, sometimes forming alliances, sometimes maintaining a degree of equidistance. Its formation of the BDJS and alliance with the NDA in the 2016 and 2021 Assembly elections, as well as the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, marked a significant attempt by the BJP to consolidate Hindu votes, particularly from the Ezhava community. However, the electoral dividends for the BJP have been limited, and the alliance's performance has not met expectations. The recent perception of Vellappally Natesan leaning towards the LDF could be due to various factors, including government policies benefiting the community or a strategic re-evaluation of political allegiances for greater leverage. This current meeting suggests the BJP is not giving up on its efforts to woo the SNDP and, by extension, the Ezhava community.

Looking ahead, such political parleys could signal potential realignments ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and the next state assembly elections. The BJP hopes to capitalize on any disenchantment within the traditional LDF or UDF vote banks and project itself as a viable third alternative. For the LDF, maintaining Vellappally Natesan's perceived support would be crucial to consolidate its base, especially given the Ezhava community's historical connection to the left movement in Kerala. The UDF, on the other hand, watches these developments closely, as any shift in community support impacts its own electoral calculations. These interactions highlight the fluid nature of political alliances and the continuous efforts by parties to secure crucial community endorsements, which are vital for democratic representation as enshrined under **Articles 325 and 326** of the Constitution, dealing with universal adult suffrage and the preparation of electoral rolls, ensuring broad-based participation in the electoral process. The very existence and influence of community organizations also touch upon the constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination (**Articles 14, 15, 16**), as they often advocate for the rights and welfare of specific groups within the larger democratic framework, aligning with the spirit of social justice.

This event is a classic example of how political parties, operating under the framework of the **Representation of the People Act, 1951**, constantly strategize to expand their vote share by engaging with influential community leaders, underscoring the dynamic interplay between identity, community, and electoral politics in India.