BJP dismisses reports of rift with NSS, says it has highest regard for Sukumaran Nair

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 13 (PTI) BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday dismissed reports of a rift between the party and the NSS, an organisation of the Nair community in Kerala, saying claims that the BJP was against its leader, Sukumaran Nair, were "false and factually incorrect". "The reports being circulated by some people claiming that 'the BJP is against NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair' are false and factually incorrect. The BJP has never interfered in the internal affairs of the NSS and will not do so," Chandrasekhar said in a statement issued here. He said the party held the Nair Service Society and its General Secretary in high esteem. "The BJP holds the NSS, a prominent community organisation within Hindu society, and its General Secretary, Sukumaran Nair, in the highest regard," he said. Chandrasekhar also spoke about his personal equation with the NSS leader, saying Sukumaran Nair had supported him since he took over as the BJP's state president. "As the BJP's state president, when I came to Kerala, the NSS General Secretary was the person who extended every support and assistance to me. I also share a close personal relationship with him," he said. The BJP leader said the party viewed the NSS and its leadership with responsibility and respect. "As the political party governing the country, the BJP will approach the Nair Service Society, which works for the welfare of lakhs of members of the Nair community, and its General Secretary, who leads the organisation, with a great sense of responsibility," he added. The statement comes amid speculation about strained ties between the BJP and the NSS following certain reported remarks at an NSS Delhi unit function attended by Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Union Minister Suresh Gopi, which were widely interpreted as being directed at Sukumaran Nair. The controversy followed the NSS leadership's decision in February this year not to allow the vice president to pay homage at Mannam Samadhi in Perunna, Changanassery. PTI TGB SSK