SNDP leader alleges Kerala will become Muslim-dominated state soon
Kottayam (Kerala), Jul 20 (PTI): Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan on Saturday alleged that the Muslim community would soon become the majority in Kerala.
He also accused the minority community and its leaders of unnecessarily intervening in the state's administration, citing the recent controversies over the LDF government's decision to change the school timings and the implementation of zumba dance in schools.
While addressing a meeting of SNDP Yogam's local unit here, the leader claimed that CPI(M) veteran and former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said sometimes back that Muslims would become the majority community in the state by 2040.
Natesan said he does not think that it would take that long and indicated that it would happen in the near future.
To support his argument, he pointed out the examples of the number of constituencies in some Hindu dominated and Muslim majority areas.
The Ezhava leader alleged that Alappuzha had lost two constituencies as the Hindu population decreased there.
However, in Muslim-dominated Malappuram, four additional seats have been gained as the community's population has increased.
He also made objectionable remarks connecting the population increase and women.
Natesan also justified his recent controversial remarks which he made against Malappuram that triggered a huge political row in the state.
He said he was attacked by everyone in the Muslim community for telling the truth about the northern district.
He also accused the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) of targeting the chief minister's post.
In April this year, Natesan described Malappuram as a "separate nation" or an exclusive "state of certain people".
People belonging to the backward community are living under constant fear in Malappuram, he had alleged.
SNDP is an organisation that represents the numerically strong Ezhava community in Kerala.
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
