Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is a believer: Vellappally Natesan reiterates

CHERTHALA: SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan said that he stands by his statement that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is a believer. He was talking to the media at his residence in Kanichukulangara.

"The Ayyappa Maha Sangamam was organized for the prosperity and progress of all the temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board. The government mechanisms worked well for this. The role played by the Chief Minister is invaluable. The Ayyappa idol given by the Devaswom Board was accepted with joy because of faith. The word that the public participation in the Ayyappa Sangam was low is not true. There was a large crowd until the Chief Minister's inaugural speech was over. Many people could not get seats. After the Chief Minister's speech, people went to participate in discussions in other sessions. The organizers also made small mistakes. The date and place decided for the event were not correct."

I am not an untouchable

When asked about travelling in a car with the Chief Minister, Vellappally replied that he was not an untouchable. "We stayed in adjacent rooms. The reason for the trip coming together was that we left at the same time. There is no need to make a big controversy about this. Communists like those who are pious. There is no difference between believers and non-believers. Everyone is a believer. The Sabarimala protection meeting held in Pandalam was also good. The program was organized in a short time. It was made successful without government mechanisms. Some people are making new discoveries regarding Sabarimala. I do not want to go after this. There is no point in going after those who do not have power. I am of the opinion that the SNDP Yogam platform should not be given to those who do not know Sree Narayana Dharma. Not those who do lip service, but those who perform heart worship should be given an opportunity. Gurudeva Dharma is not one-way traffic. Former Minister G Sudhakaran has personally helped a lot. I have love and respect for him. Everything that former Chief Minister AK Antony said regarding Sivagiri is true. He could not understand the repercussions that could follow the police action. The situation of the Congress that could not take a clear stand on the Ayyappa Sangamam is pathetic," said Vellappally.