Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Congress (B) chairman R Balakrishna Pillai has lashed out at NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair over supporting the ‘Ayyappa Jyothi’ programme.
“Under no circumstances can the equidistance policy of the NSS be changed. If Sukumaran Nair wishes to support any party, he can do so in his personal capacity,” said Pillai.
"The NSS leadership should not forget the tradition of Chattambi Swamy, Mannam and K Kelappan," he added.
Pillai also affirmed that he would continue to be part of the NSS. “Members of the Karayogams will be part of the women’s wall,” he told Manorama News soon after joining the Left Front.
According to the Kerala Congress leader, respectable women will not undertake the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. “All the women who set out on the trip were either activists or participants in the ‘kiss of love’ event. All the traditions at the shrine have to be protected. The government could have held talks with the NSS, but the authorities have the duty to implement the court order,” said Pillai.
He had earlier in the day affirmed his party’s support to the women’s wall. “We do not favour the Ayyappa Jyothi event. The stand of the Kerala Congress (B) is the same as the LDF,” pointed out Pillai.
Kerala Congress (B) has deviated from the position adopted by NSS on several occasions. Now the party will join the agitations planned by the LDF. “However, we will not demand a place in the Cabinet,” revealed Pillai.
