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New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
National Farmers' Party launched with an eye on agrarian, Christian votes
KOTTAYAM: In a new development widely perceived to have the backing of the BJP, a new political outfit, the National Farmers' Party (NFP), was launched in Kottayam on Saturday. George J Mathew, former chairman of the undivided Kerala Congress and former Kanjirappally MLA has been named chairman of the new party. Former MLA P M Mathew will serve as general secretary, while M V Many and K D Lewis have been designated as vice presidents. The announcement was made following a meeting of the Kerala Farmers' Federations, a collective of farmers, held in the district. The party chairman has expressed the party's intention to participate in the upcoming elections.'It cannot be said that we will not join any front at this time. Both the fronts have deceived the farmers and all political parties are ignoring the farmers. Today, farmers and other vulnerable working-class people are enduring significant hardships. As a result, many young people are leaving the country in large numbers, unable to cope with the situation,' he said. While the leaders emphasised agricultural issues and nationalism as key components of their agenda, they are particularly focused on appealing to Christian voters and farmers in Central Travancore, a region that has traditionally been a stronghold for Kerala Congress parties. Although party leaders indicated there is no formal agreement with any political front, the presence of BDJS national president Thushar Vellappally at Friday's farmers' meet has sparked speculations that the movement may seek to mobilise BJP-oriented Christians. Meanwhile, George clarified that Vellappally attended the event as a good friend. In response to questions regarding the absence of Major Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Mar George Alencherry and former Kanjirappally bishop Mar Mathew Arackal, who were invited but did not attend, George attributed their non-attendance to misinformation. He further refrained from commenting on whether the party had the support of the church. The party is considering a sprinkler, drone or rocket as its election symbol. The National Farmers' Party's membership campaign will begin soon and the office-bearers will be elected at the earliest. The structure of the party will be formed based on constituencies and panchayats.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
National Farmers' Party launched in Kottayam, with focus on Catholic support
Seeking to ride the wave of rural discontent sweeping through central Travancore, including its high ranges and forest fringes, the Kerala Farmers' Federation on Saturday announced the launch of a new political outfit, the National Farmers' Party. Former chairman of the undivided Kerala Congress and ex-MLA of Kanjirappally, George J. Mathew, will serve as the party chairman. Former Kaduthuruthy legislator P. M. Mathew has been appointed general secretary while M.V. Many and K. D. Lewis have been named vice-presidents. The party is currently considering sprinkler, drone, or rocket as its election symbol. Announcing the launch, Mr. George Mathew outlined the party's intention to contest the upcoming elections. 'We cannot rule out joining any front at this stage. Both existing fronts have betrayed the farmers and political parties have largely ignored their plight. Today, farmers and other vulnerable working-class communities face severe hardships, forcing many young people to migrate abroad in large numbers,' he said. While agricultural concerns and nationalism form the core of the party's agenda, the leadership's roots in the former Kerala Congress clearly signal a focus on appealing to Christian voters and farmers in Central Travancore, a traditional stronghold of Kerala Congress parties. With backing from some Catholic clergy, the new outfit may foster close ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over time, capitalising on issues raised by the Catholic Church in Kerala. Although party leaders insisted there is no formal alliance with any political coalition yet, the presence of Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) national president Thushar Vellappally at Friday's meeting has fuelled speculation about potential efforts to mobilise BJP-leaning Christian voters. When asked about it, the party chairman, however, clarified that Mr. Vellappally attended as a well-wisher of the farmers' movement. Major Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Mar George Alencherry and former Kanjirappally Bishop Mar Mathew Arackal were conspicuous by their absence at the launch despite invitations. Mr. Mathew George declined to comment on whether the party enjoys the Church's support. Membership drive The party plans to launch its membership drive shortly and elect office-bearers at the earliest. According to the leadership, the organisational structure will be built along constituency and panchayat lines. A similar attempt had been made in April 2023, when the National Progressive Party (NPP) was formally launched with V.V. Augustine as its chairman, Johnny Nellore as working chairman and Mathew Stephen as general secretary. However, the party's momentum waned quickly and Mr. Nellore stepped away from the project within a few months.
