A Muslim outfit leader’s appreciation of Tiruvananthapuram Mayor and senior BJP leader Adv. V.V. Rajesh has highlighted what he described as the BJP leader’s inclusive approach towards society, particularly his respect for places of worship. People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Thottumukku Navas, on social media post, described Rajesh as “humane” and “not at all communal”, while endorsing his activities 100 per cent.
PDP is a Muslim outfit founded by Abdul Nasser Madani, who was imprisoned for several years in connection with the Coimbatore Blast case of 1998 and Bengaluru Blast of 2008.
Navas’s post says that Vizhinjam and Beemappally, two prominent mosques in Tiruvananthapuram corporation limites, enjoy the total cooperation of the Mayor. He said that he endorses his activities 100 per cent. He said that he is worried about bad comments for his good words about V.V. Rajesh.
Navas’s post says that once he had been to Rajesh’s ancestral house with his brother Adv. Ummar, a few years ago. At that time, Navas was the district leader of PDP. Ummar introduced him to Rajesh. Ummar and Rajesh were classmates. Rajesh was the state leader of ABVP. Ummar told Rajesh that he (Navas) was his elder brother and the district leader of PDP, etc. Immediately, Rajesh got up from his chair and shook Navas’s hand. He offered him a seat.
Navas said he did not go to Rajesh’s home for any personal purpose. He was accompanying Ummar when the latter went to see Rajesh.
Navas said he was surprised to see the way Mayor Rajesh was treating the mosques. “How can a BJP leader perform like this!” he asked.
When Navas met him for the first time, Ummar had told him that Rajesh was too humane and not at all communal. Navas said that whoever is doing good things should be supported and that he agrees with Rajesh’s activities 100 per cent.
Navas said in the post that he was giving his frank opinion. He requested readers not to post bad comments against him. He said it was based on his own experience.
Navas’s comments underline his personal assessment that Rajesh’s activities command respect and recognition across party and community considerations. Within a short period, Rajesh has presented himself as a Mayor with a difference. His administrative activities and anti-corruption drives have received support from ordinary voters.
