Congress to mollify NSS; KPCC leadership to hold talks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The congress has started efforts to mollify the Nair Service Society (NSS). The KPCC leadership will hold talks with the NSS. The effort is to remind NSS that they have taken a firm stand on the issue of faith. Congress sources have made it clear that they will not criticize the NSS leadership and will continue to propagate that the CPM is playing hide and seek on the issue. NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair had yesterday welcomed the government's change of stand on the issue. The Congress' move followed suit.

The NSS General Secretary had openly stated that he had faith in this government and supported the government on the Sabarimala issue. He also criticized the UDF and the BJP in harsh language. It is assessed that the NSS' leaning towards the government will be reflected in the local body and assembly elections. There are people who believe that the rift with opposition leader V D Satheesan and the NSS leadership is the reason for rejecting the Congress.

The government took the initiative to mollify the NSS after the defeat in the parliamentary elections. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's visiting Sukumaran Nair, who was undergoing treatment, broke the ice. Minister Vasavan and others met and were able to convince them of the new stance on the issue of women's entry. Even when invited to the Ayyappa Sangam, the government assured that they were with the NSS on the issue of faith. NSS vice president Sangeeth Kumar then attended. The NSS' view is that the Ayyappa Sangamam was a correction of the government's mistakes. Nair had accused the Congress of playing a false game.