Kerala Congress Scrambles to Woo Back Key Nair Community Leader Amidst Shifting Political Tides

The political corridors of Kerala are abuzz with frantic activity as the Congress party launches a full-scale charm offensive on G Sukumaran Nair, the influential General Secretary of the Nair Service Society (NSS). Recent pronouncements from the veteran community leader, hinting at a favorable disposition towards the ruling CPM, have sent ripples of anxiety through the UDF camp, prompting urgent intervention from its top brass.

Nair's recent comments, praising Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's administrative prowess and even his handling of the contentious Sabarimala issue, have raised eyebrows across the political spectrum.

This perceived shift is particularly striking given the NSS's historical alignment and its past criticisms of the LDF on various fronts, especially regarding the Sabarimala temple entry controversy, where the NSS had vehemently opposed the state government's stance.

Furthermore, Nair didn't mince words when critiquing previous UDF governments over reservation policies, further fueling Congress's worries about a potential erosion of their traditional support base within the powerful Nair community.

The NSS has consistently championed the cause of forward communities and their concerns regarding reservation, a sensitive political issue in the state.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, senior Congress figures like V.D. Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition, and former Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala, have been at the forefront of this damage control.

They have engaged directly with Nair in an effort to clarify the Congress position on crucial issues and to remind the NSS of their long-standing historical camaraderie and shared socio-political journey.

The visit by none other than veteran Congress leader A.K. Antony to Nair's residence was a clear signal of the party's earnestness and the high stakes involved.

This high-profile visit underscores the gravity of the situation and the party's determination to mend fences and prevent the NSS, a key community organization, from drifting further away from its traditional UDF leanings.

For decades, the NSS has been a formidable force in Kerala's socio-political landscape, often lending its considerable influence to the UDF.

A shift in its stance, even a perceived one, could significantly impact the electoral fortunes of both fronts, especially with crucial local body and assembly elections looming on the horizon, where community support often plays a decisive role.

Nair, while maintaining the NSS's official stance of "equidistance" from all political parties, has often been a vocal critic of the Congress, particularly regarding its internal factionalism and perceived weaknesses.

His recent praise for Vijayan and the CPM is seen by many as a strategic move, perhaps a signal of discontent or an attempt to leverage the NSS's position to secure specific community interests.

The Congress leadership is now working overtime to reassure Nair and the broader NSS community that they are attentive to their concerns, especially on matters of social justice and reservation.

They are attempting to re-establish the narrative that the Congress-led UDF remains the natural political home for the NSS and its followers, aiming to reaffirm old alliances in the face of evolving political dynamics.