Kottayam, 06 May (H.S.): G.Sukumaran Nair, General Secretary of the powerful Nair Service Society (NSS), on Wednesday said the organisation has no specific preference regarding who should become the next Chief Minister of Kerala, asserting that the people had voted for change and that the verdict represented “the victory of democracy” rather than merely a victory for the UDF.
Speaking to media persons in Kottayam after the Assembly election results, NSS General Secretary Sukumaran Nair said the newly elected government must understand its responsibility towards the people who voted it to power. He said the public had strongly desired a change in governance after the tenure of the LDF government.
Referring to the Sabarimala issue and other controversies during the previous regime, he said people had deep concerns, but they did not view the matter merely through a political lens. According to him, many people saw the Congress-led UDF as a tool to express their sentiments and aspirations for change.
“The Congress should not assume that only its traditional supporters voted for it. A large section of the public cooperated in bringing about this victory,” he said, while also clarifying that he was not suggesting Congress workers had failed to perform.
Sukumaran Nair said the NSS had maintained an equal distance from all political fronts and had even shared cordial relations with the previous Left government. However, he noted that the state’s political climate had created a strong feeling that a change in government had become necessary.
On the issue of Cabinet formation and the race for the Chief Minister’s post, he said the Congress leadership should decide based on merit and established conventions within the party. “Anyone can become Chief Minister. The party leadership should select deserving people,” he said.
Reacting to questions on leaders such as V. D. Satheesan, K. C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, Sukumaran Nair maintained that all senior leaders were qualified, but the final decision rested entirely with the Congress high command.
He also clarified that the NSS headquarters had never directed anyone on whom to vote for during the elections. Stressing that democracy was more important than community considerations, he said the organisation had previously reacted only when certain groups raised community-based demands regarding key posts in government.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
