BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Bharat Dharma Jana Sena president Thushar Vellappally and others during the National Democratic Alliance leadership meeting at Cherthala on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: SURESH ALLEPPEY
A meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) State unit held at Cherthala in Alappuzha on Thursday decided to strengthen the front in preparation for the local body elections later this year and the Assembly polls next year.
It was the first NDA leadership meeting held after Rajeev Chandrasekhar took charge as the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala unit.
The meeting, attended by leaders of NDA constituents, including Mr. Chandrasekhar and other BJP leaders Kummanam Rajasekharan, V. Muraleedharan and P.K. Krishnadas; and Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) president and NDA State convener Thushar Vellappally, among others, decided to announce an action plan in May for the local body polls. It was also decided to form NDA committees up to the booth level and to hold NDA State leadership meetings every month.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, the NDA leaders criticised the State government’s handling of the Accredited Social Health Activists’ protest. A resolution passed at the meeting noted that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) had promised an increase in the honorarium of ASHAs in its manifesto for the 2021 Assembly election. However, after securing a second term in power, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government failed to fulfil this commitment, the resolution said. “ASHAs represent the entire women’s community of the State and their agitation has garnered widespread support. This growing unrest could impact the prospects of the LDF government,” the resolution added.
Issues of coastal people
The NDA leaders said that both the LDF and United Democratic Front had failed to address the issues faced by coastal communities. “People living along the State’s coastal areas continue to struggle with sea erosion, poverty and health issues. In contrast, the NDA government at the Centre has implemented several projects aimed at improving the living conditions of coastal residents,” another resolution said.
Drug menace
The NDA meeting also criticised the Kerala government for its failure to curb the drug mafias operating within the State.
Before the meeting, Mr. Chandrasekhar visited Nair Service Society general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair at Perunna and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan at Kanichukulangara.
The BDJS State executive meeting was held before the NDA leadership meeting, with BDJS leaders and Mr. Chandrasekhar in attendance.
Published – April 03, 2025 08:06 pm IST