A section of Congress leaders rally in support of Satheesan against Vellappally’s attacks 

A section of Congress leaders and members of some Muslim youth organisations appeared to rally in support of Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan who faced harsh criticism from Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) general secretary Vellappally Natesan for the third consecutive day on Sunday. 

Congress leader K.C. Joseph said in a social media post that criticism of any political leader, including Mr. Satheesan, should conform to accepted standards of public decency. He took strong exception to Mr. Natesan’s ‘insinuation’ that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was above criticism in the House. (Mr. Natesan had accused Mr. Satheesan of being “arrogant” to Mr. Vijayan in the Assembly, despite the latter’s age and seniority). Congress legislator Mathew Kuzhalnadan termed attacks on Mr. Satheesan an attack on Congress. 

Social activist and writer Muhammad Kinalur accused the Congress leadership of being hesitant in marshalling support for Mr. Satheesan and being overly cautious around Mr. Natesan. 

Addressing an SNDP Yogam function at Mr. Satheesan’s constituency in Paravur, Ernakulam, on Sunday, Mr. Natesan seemingly rubbished the latter’s claim that the United Democratic Front (UDF) would regain power in the 2026 Assembly elections with 100 seats in its kitty. 

Posing a dare

He dared Mr. Satheesan to go into political exile if the UDF’s electoral aspirations failed. Mr. Natesan offered to step down from his post if the UDF got anywhere near 98 Assembly seats in 2026. He accused Mr. Satheesan of being “patently anti-backward class.”

Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS) leader Sathar Panthaloor said the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, which was prompt in arresting a person for criticising the late V.S. Achuthanandan, was reticent in prosecuting Mr. Natesan for “spewing caste and communal venom”. 

Mr. Satheesan had earlier responded to Mr. Natesan’s arguably vitriolic attacks by reminding the SNDP Yogam leader that his statements went against the principles of Sree Narayana Guru’s humanist and secular philosophy. Mr. Natesan countered that Mr. Satheesan need not instruct him about the social reformer’s teachings.