Thiruvananthapuram: Two former state presidents of the BJP-- C. K. Padmanabhan and V. Muraleedharan—have opposed admitting the Kerala Congress (M) into the NDA. They say that Mr Mani’s arrival will not increase the popularity of the NDA. They expressed their view at the BJP core committee meeting in Kozhikode on Monday. They also said that SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan should not be ofered wholehearted support.

Even before the core committee meeting started, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said that it was time for a political polarisation in the state as the situation was becoming unpredictable with the UDF becoming weaker. “The majority of the leaders are taking a ‘wait and watch’ policy on the Mani issue. In the case of alliance with Bharat Dharma Jana Sena, Mr. Padmanabhan and Mr. Muraleedharan are of the view that he should not be provided with more support,” said a BJP leader.

The core committee meeting also decided to offer support to the families who have lost their children to Islamic State terrorists. The meeting decided to hold a protest in front of the secretariat in support of the families. The meeting formed 33 sub-committees for the smooth conduct of the three-day BJP national executive and national council being to be held in Kozhikode from Sept 23 to 25.