PM Modi Kerala event: In statue row, battle for Ezhava leader’s legacy

The issue of ignoring Chandy for the event got a political twist mainly due to the SNDP’s poll arrangement with BJP. Earlier, Congress and CPM has attacked the outfit’s general secretary, Vellappally Natesan, for surrendering the movement launched by revered Ezhava leader Sree Narayana Guru to the RSS.

In the latest row, Congress alleges an RSS plot to appropriate the former CM’s legacy, and to make him appear as just a Hindu leader. “Natesan is trying to communalise Sankar and usurp his glorious legacy. The Congress would not allow Natesan to materialise his plan. It is a challenge to the very common sense of the people,’’ said Congress state president V M Sudheeran.

Not to be left behind, the Congress has planned a prayer session in front the former CM’s statue in Thiruvananthapuram. Congress’ prayer meeting is scheduled to be held at the same time when the Kollam event is slated to be underway on Tuesday with the PM in attendance. The prayer meeting will be attended by Chandy and other senior party leaders.

“Congress leaders have no right to shed tears for Sankar. The statue that SNDP Yogam is going to erect in Kollam is not that of Congress leader R Sankar, but of SNDP Yogam leader R Sankar. Congress leaders had tried to destroy Sankar’s political career and tried to unseat him as CM,” said Natesan.

In December last year, it was Chandy who had forwarded Natesan’s request to get PM Modi to unveil Sankar’s statue.