Vellapally Natesan, leader of the powerful Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana - said on Friday the millions of Ezhavas in Kerala whom the social organisation represents are not interested to form a political party.
Natesan, who is SNDP's general secretary, said: "We have said many times that the SNDP will not form a political party. But some people are hell bent on spreading this canard and the say that we are going to join the BJP (led NDA)."
"We are helpless with this sort of campaign because we do not intend to form a political party," Natesan told reporters at his home here.
The SNDP owes its allegiance to the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru.
Over the years, even though the SNDP claims to pursue a policy of staying away from the Left and the Congress-led UDF in the state's political spectrum, it is common knowledge that a majority of the community members often lend their support to the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front.
Also, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, several overtures from the state Bharatiya Janata Party unit followed, inviting Natesan into the NDA fold. It triggered speculation that SNDP will be jumping into active politics.
Last month, Natesan and his son called on BJP national president Amit Shah.
Also, state BJP president V. Muraleedharan has said the party will welcome SNDP if it decides to form a political party.
"SNDP has always been in the forefront of fighting the cause of the poor and downtrodden," Muraleedharan told reporters on Friday.
Experts argue that with the local bodies polls in November and assembly polls next year, the BJP is doing its best to improve its 2010 performance in the local bodies polls, and later gain some ground in the 140-member Kerala assembly.
