Alappuzha: In a move that could shift the electoral scales in Kerala, SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan publicly backed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for a consecutive third term in office.

Addressing the media on the current political churning, Natesan clarified that while his stance represents his “personal opinion,” he firmly believes the incumbent leader should remain at the helm of the state administration.

Natesan’s statements provided a candid look at his assessment of the ongoing political battle. He noted that while several constituencies are braced for a triangular contest between the LDF, UDF, and NDA, the race has effectively narrowed to a two-way fight in specific regions. Turning his focus to local dynamics, the SNDP leader predicted a win for LDF candidate PP Chittaranjan in the Alappuzha constituency.

Natesan did not hold back in his assessment of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). He took a pointed swipe at the party’s internal power struggles, remarking that the Congress lacks a unified front. He noted that there are at least four leaders within the Congress party currently waiting in line, each eyeing the Chief Minister’s post, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of cohesive leadership within the UDF.

As the head of SNDP Yogam, his influence over the Ezhava community — a crucial demographic in Kerala’s electoral arithmetic, and also a prominent caste grouping for their votes all parties are fighting for, especially the CPI(M), could play a decisive role in the outcome of the polls.