The new-found amity between the powerful Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Sangom, which is being rocked by the issue of alleged corruption in the Travancore Devaswam Board, ran into trouble yesterday, with the NSS leadership rebuffing SNDP chief Vellappally Natesan's charges against Minister K.C. Venugopal.
NSS President P.V. Neelakanta Pillai yesterday said there was no truth in the allegations by SNDP General secretary Natesan against Tourism Minister K.C. Venugopal.
Total faith
Inaugurating the NSS Karayogam building in Kollam, Pillai said that as Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had total faith in the integrity of his Cabinet colleague, it was not proper for Natesan to raise this issue. Referring to Communist Party of India-Marxist state Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan's statement yesterday that Devaswam Board appointments should be entrusted to the Public Service Commission, Pillai said that was not necessary.
"There is no need to leave the appointments of the Board to the PSC. The NSS has so far not gone for any recommendation. Raman Nair should resign from the post of President," said Pillai.
Government's stand
NSS leader Narayana Panikkar also flayed Natesan's charges and said the NSS would have no responsibility for the worsening ties between the NSS and the SNDP.
"Those who were behind the moves to scuttle the ties from within and outside should bear the responsibility," he said.
He also made it clear that the NSS would support the government's stand.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, meanwhile, said that if proper evidence was received, action would be taken against Venugopal in connection with the corruption charges.
He was referring to Natesan's statement that he could provide evidence of corruption.