Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) \[CPI(M)] appeared eager to distance itself from Natesan’s controversial statements. This comes despite his position as the head of the Renaissance Protection Samiti (RPS), an LDF-backed organisation founded in 2019 to promote secular and progressive ideals in response to rising identity politics in Kerala.

 

The CPI(M) called on SNDP Yogam to uphold the inclusive and humanist principles of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, cautioning that public discourse must not sow hatred or communal discord.

 

IUML’s newspaper *Chandrika* sharply rebuked Natesan for using communal rhetoric to regain political influence. Natesan had recently claimed that both the ruling and opposition alliances were overly reliant on the Muslim community for votes and economic support. He alleged that the IUML aimed to strengthen its base in central and southern Kerala in the 2026 Assembly elections, possibly eyeing the Chief Minister’s role.

 

IUML national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty urged the LDF government to take appropriate action against those misusing influential platforms to disturb communal harmony but stopped short of calling for police charges against Natesan.

 

Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan went further, accusing Natesan of deliberately invoking caste and religious issues on behalf of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He alleged that the CPI(M) was trying to appeal to majority voters by marginalising minorities, thus compromising its secular ideals.

 

In response, Natesan maintained that he was highlighting the Ezhava community’s pursuit of justice and said he was ready to face jail time for speaking what he called “social truths.”