Disgruntled leaders of district and regional level political parties in Kerala came under one umbrella and formed National Progressive Party (NP), a political party they claim as distinct and different from other parties. The decision was made by party hoppers V V Augustine and Johny Nelloor, the chairman and ‘working’ chairman of the new entity respectively.
“We are not against other political parties functioning in the State. We do not have any enmity or rivalry with them. Our gates remain open for the Congress, CPI(M) and AAP. Since BJP is the party ruling the Centre, we will extend cooperation with them too,” said Augustine, the septuagenarian leader who is hoping against hope that Hindutva leaders may offer him some posts like governor or lieutenant governor.
Enthused by the formation of NPP and the possibilities of the Church extending its blessings for the new entity’s tie up with the BJP, Victor Thomas, district chairman of United Democratic Front quit the alliance and his own party (one of the factions of the Kerala Congresses) and joined the BJP. “Narendra Modi is the only leader who is capable of leading India to the numero uno position in the glocal comity of nations. I’ll strengthen Modi Ji’s arms and help him establish a government in Kerala,” said Thomas after receiving the membership card and the customary saffron shawl from senior BJP leader Prakash Jawadekar at Pathanamthitta.
Meanwhile Augustine and Nelloor said in their joint declaration that the NPP would demand that the Christians be accorded the same reservation enjoyed by the Sikh, Budhists and Jains in education and jobs. “Narendra Modi is good at public relations and it is this capability that we admire,” said Augustine who was cautions in not burning the bridges to other fronts.
The announcement about the formation of NPP and decision to extend the hand of friendship with the BJP was made as count down began for the two-day visit of the Prime Minister to the State.
Shibu Baby John, leader of the RSP and former minister in the governments led by A K Antony and Oommen Chandi said that the UDF would not be affected in any way by the departure of these leaders. “They are like extra luggage and e-waste which the BJP itself would find impossible to process. The general opinion in the UDF is that leaders who were irrelevant has left the party and it is a big relief for us,” said Baby John.
