Narendra Modi to visit Kerala today amid tight security; SNDP, NSS endorses visit

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala tomorrow amidst stringent security measures. Modi will be visiting Sivagiri Mutt at Varkala, 30 km from Thiruvananthapuram, where he will be chief guest at the function marking the post-centenary of installation of ‘Vidhyadevta’ idol on its premises. The visit, which has had the political class of Kerala uneasy has been strongly supported by SNDP and NSS.

Endorsing Narendra Modi’s visit, General Secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam Vellappily Natesan said that the Gujarat Chief Minister has risen to popularity owing to his work in the state. “There is no use boycotting Modi. SNDP has no part in inviting Narendra Modi to Sivagiri Mutt. There was no opposition when senior BJP leader LK Advani came to Kerala. Why now?” asked Natesan.

Speaking to media persons, General Secretary of Nair Service Society G Sukumaran Nair said that the controversies surrounding Narendra Modi’s Sivagiri visit is unwarranted. “Such meaningless discussions are nothing but a matter of sheer shame to the state of Kerala. It is clear that such controversies are created just for political gains. It is for the Mutt to decide who should be invited. Political parties need not have a say in such matters,” he said.

Narendra Modi’s visit to Sivagiri Mutt had raised flak among the CPM, with Pinarayi Vijayan voicing dissent against the same and former Chief Minister Achuthanandan boycotting the function.

The Mutt authorities, however, rejected the criticism and maintained that the doors of the ashram are open to all.

“Sivagiri Mutt has no politics and its tradition is to welcome all,” said Swami Rithambharananda, who is president of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust. He said that the Mutt had also extended invitation to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi but they had not responded.

According to a BJP source in Kerala, Modi is likely to meet Rev Moran Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, head of Syro Malankara Catholic Church as well.

Responses