Backward Hindu Ezhava leader Vellappally Natesan will start his state-wide tour, "samathwa munetta yatra," on Monday evening from Kasaragod. Natesan's journey has evoked much political interest considering his alliance with BJP and the move to float a new political party embracing various for Hindu caste groups. The yatra would conclude in Thiruvananthapuram on December 5 with Natesan announcing the much-awaited political party, which is envisaged as a broad alliance of various Hindu caste outfits. Also Read | Natesan's journey: Bar owner to rising force in Kerala politics The theme of the yatra is to highlight the demand for social justice and equality for Hindu community irrespective of caste barriers. Natesan, who is the general secretary of Ezhava outfit Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, has managed to win the support of various fractions of backward organizations such as Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha, fishermen outfit Deevara Sabha and Sambhava Sabha. Although upper caste Hindu Nair group Nair Service Society is keep away from the alliance, Natesan has managed to get a Nair segment which is opposed to NSS leadership. Projecting himself as a crusader for the cause of Hindu community, Natesan has ensured the support of several Hindu mutts or sanyasis in Kerala in his yatra. Swamis from Mata Amritananda Mayi mutt, Sivagiri mutt, Sree Krishnashramam and Sri Vishweeshara Teertha Swami of Uduppi-based Pejavara Mutt are expected to take part in the inauguration of the yatra. Natesan said the new political party would be announced during the valedictory meeting of the yatra in Thiruvananthapuram. Although the proposed party is reckoned as a rallying point for Hindu caste groups, Natesan said his party would be secular in nature. "The new party would be open to all political fronts in Kerala. Whether, we would contest in the assembly elections would be decided only later," said Natesan. RSS state general secretary Gopalankutty Master said RSS welcomed the samathwa munnetta yatra as it was highlighting the demand for a broad Hindu alliance. The Natesan’ journey has already invited sharp reactions from CPI (M), which fears the backward Hindu caste leader would win over a chunk of its traditional vote bank. CPI (M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the samathwa munnetta yatra is organized by the RSS to implement its communal agenda. "Natesan should reveal who would benefit from his yatra. The presence of the seer of Pejavara mutt exposes the communal agenda," said Balakrishnan. Meanwhile, the proposed party would be SNDP Yogam’s second political experiment in the past 35 years. The Ezhava outfit had earlier launched a party named Socialist Republican Party on the eve of the 1980 Assembly polls. When United Democratic Front was formed under the leadership of Congress leader K Karunakaran, Yogam’s party became part of that front. However, the party did not contest the 1980 polls. In the 1982 polls, Socialist Republican Party won two seats. The party also had a minister in the UDF government led by Karunakaran. In the 1987 polls, the party contested four seats, but won none. Gradually, the party’s presence in Kerala politics faded away.
