Why Vellappally Natesan’s Padma Bhushan Is Being Closely Watched in Kerala Politics

The Padma Bhushan awarded to SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan set off one of the biggest debates in the recent Padma Awards list. The timing couldn't be more interesting: Kerala's political circles are still buzzing with controversies around Vellappally, yet the Centre decided to give him one of India's top civilian honours. It's a bold move. For years, Vellappally has shaped the social and political landscape of the Ezhava community, which happens to be one of Kerala's largest.

Ezhavas make up around 22 per cent of Kerala's population, making them a decisive vote bank in the state. By awarding the Padma Bhushan to Vellappally Natesan, the BJP has sent a clear and calculated political message to Kerala. The Ezhava community has traditionally been the backbone of the CPI(M)'s electoral strength in the state. It is into this core support base that the BJP is now making a strategic entry.

The BJP isn't subtle about its plan. They want to pull together Ezhava support and tilt the odds in their favour for the next Assembly elections. It's a playbook they used in Uttar Pradesh in 2024, when giving the Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh helped bring Jat voters and the RLD into the NDA camp.

Election data from Uttar Pradesh shows that this move significantly benefited the NDA during the Lok Sabha elections. In a similar vein, the Padma Bhushan awarded to Vellappally Natesan in 2026 is widely seen as a strong political signal and potentially the beginning of a decisive Ezhava consolidation in Kerala. Notably, Vellappally had earlier taken the lead in advocating Hindu unity in the state.

It was after Vellappally's Kerala-wide outreach campaign, which called for unity "from Namboothiri to Nayadi under one umbrella," that the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) was formed. His son, Thushar Vellappally, currently serves as the party's president. Although BDJS has remained part of the NDA since its inception, Vellappally himself was not always fully aligned with this political position.

At various points, he has cooperated with the CPI(M) and even extended indirect support to the LDF on issues such as the Sabarimala women's entry controversy. This ambiguity limited BDJS's emergence as a strong political force in Kerala, though the party has occasionally played a decisive role in NDA's electoral advances.

However, Vellappally's absence from active NDA campaigning was often felt. Known for his outspoken criticism of minority appeasement politics, his ideological positions closely align with the NDA's broader narrative. Supporting the NDA, therefore, also reflects consistency with his long-held views.

With over 22 per cent of Kerala's population, the Ezhava community is no longer bound by outdated political alignments. Honouring the SNDP General Secretary is being seen as the Centre's acknowledgment of the Ezhava community's role in shaping Kerala's future political direction. A closer alignment between Vellappally, the Ezhava community, and the BJP is expected to significantly strengthen the NDA in the state.

Recent local body election results have already indicated a setback for the CPI(M). As the party weakens, its traditional support base is likely to gravitate towards the strongest alternative. As seen in West Bengal, both party cadres and voters increasingly recognise that only the BJP has the organisational strength to challenge the Congress decisively. When the CPI(M) weakens, anti-Congress votes must not be split.

In constituencies where the BJP poses a strong challenge to the Congress, a vote for the CPI(M) is basically a vote for Congress. Strategic voting, therefore, becomes essential. For a Congress-free outcome, all anti-Congress votes must consolidate behind the BJP. Through Vellappally Natesan and the consolidation of Ezhava votes, the BJP believes this objective is well within reach.