KOTTAYAM: NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair criticized Muslim League General Secretary KPA Majeed for charging that BJP was putting up O Rajagopal as its candidate at Neyyattinkara in deference to the wishes of the NSS. Majeed's charges were baseless, he charged. Those who were not aware of the NSS tradition and its contribution for the society could alone make such allegations. The fifth minister issue and the Chandrasekharan murder were discussed at Neyyattinkara. While the fifth minister issue found favour with the BJP, the other put the LDF on the defensive and that was why the UDF won the by-election at Neyyattinkara, Mr Nair claimed.

The NSS had adopted the equi-distance policy at Neyyattinkara, he added. Referring to the allegation against sending two Christians representatives to the Rajya Sabha, the NSS leader said the NSS had welcomed the candidature of P J Kurian as he was secular. It was not the responsibility of the Congress party alone to maintain communal balance. All constituent parties had that responsibility, he said. NSS was not against having the fifth minister from the Muslim League but it only wanted that the communal balance of the cabinet should be ensured.