President Sivagiri Madhom Swami Sathchidananda has asked political fronts in Kerala to ensure that backward communities are adequately represented in the selection of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Swami Sathchidananda said failure to ensure adequate representation would provoke “strong reactions” from backward communities. Chief Sivagiri Madhom wanted the fronts led by the CPI(M), Congress and BJP to ensure that members from these communities are considered as candidates for seats where they stand a good chance of winning.
Sivagiri Madhom announced his stand just as political parties in the state are preparing to announce their candidates for the 2026 assembly elections.
With specific reference to the Congress, he said that Madhom had given representation to Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, making the demand. “Ezhavas, Dheevaras, Viswakarmajars and SC/ST communities form the majority in Kerala society. We have requested him to give them adequate representation when candidates are selected,” said Swami Sathchidananda.
Care was taken to maintain a balance in the representation of the community from the first Congress government under R. Shankar to the Congress governments under K. Karunakaran and AK Antony. Since then candidates from backward communities were not allotted winning seats, he claimed.
According to him, Madhom has received numerous complaints regarding the lack of community representation.
Swami Sathchidananda reacted to the Kerala High Court’s verdict on Thursday ordering the removal of Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of the SNDP Yogam, saying it brings relief to the followers of Sree Narayana Guru. In recent years, the community has been facing decline despite the progress made by stalwarts like P. Palpu, R. Shankar and Sahodaran Ayyappan. While not making personal references to Mr. Natesan, Swami Sathchidananda pointed out that good governance is important for SNDP Yogam, Kerala and the progressive movement in the state.
Published – 14 March 2026 20:50 IST
