Meet NDA's candidate from Wayanad who will take on Rahul
NDA has picked Thushar Vellappally to battle Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, Kerala, and the former is sure he would win from the constituency. Vellappally heads BDJS (Bharat Dharma Jana Sena), a BJP ally in the state. The 50-year-old, who was earlier contesting from Thrissur, was shifted to Wayanad to take on Rahul. Let's understand why BJP went for Vellappally.
Amethi and Wayanad: Rahul will contest from two seats
Rahul, who is already looking to retain Uttar Pradesh's Amethi, will contest from two Lok Sabha seats, for the first time. Wayanad was suggested to him by party workers in Kerala and he agreed. He will file nomination on April 4. Congress said the seat was chosen to show unity in India and stressed that Amethi would remain Rahul's "home".
Vellappally's father heads SNDP
As soon as Rahul's candidature was announced, NDA went through its choices. It was earlier speculated that a biggie would be fielded from BJP, but the party chose its ally instead. Vellappally's father Vellappally Natesan heads the high-profile Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP). The organization has a considerable influence on Hindu Ezhava caste, which forms a sizeable vote bank in Wayanad.
Vellappally said communal angle won't work in Kerala
SNDP's clout explains why NDA chose Vellappally for the high-profile battle. Interestingly, Vellappally seemed to disagree with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stand that Congress chose Wayanad because Hindus were a minority there. PM Modi had said Congress was scared of Hindu-anger for suggesting Hindus were involved in terrorism and sent Rahul to "safe seat". But Vellappally opined Kerala worked differently.
Will get votes of Hindus, Christians, and Muslims: Vellappally
"Communal votes won't work in Kerala, everyone lives in harmony. I will get votes from all Hindus, Christians, Muslims. BDJS (Bharat Dharma Jana Sena) works for backward groups and Wayanad is one of the most backward districts of Kerala," Vellappally reportedly said.
Rahul is not going to be accepted here, said Vellappally
Separately, Vellappally said it is unlikely that people in Kerala would vote for someone who doesn't belong from the state. "Why should a north Indian come and contest here when there are so many Malayalees? The writing on the wall is very clear. (Rahul) Gandhi, who is not required in north India, is not going to be accepted," he said.
Neither BJP nor Congress stand a chance: Left
Meanwhile, Left downplayed Vellappally's candidature. CPM, which was upset after Rahul chose Wayanad and claimed he isn't interested in defeating BJP, said Vellappally won't make a difference because he is a BDJS candidate and not SNDP's. "In all 20 constituencies, it's the Left against the Congress-led UDF," said CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. He added Rahul will get a taste of Left's machinery.
