Thushar Vellapally is an Indian politician from Wayanad, Kerala. He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections against Rahul Gandhi. He has his own party the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS). He is the son of Vellappally Natesan, who is an influential leader of Kerala.
Wiki/Biography
Thushar Vellappally was born in the year 1970 (age 49 years; as in 2019). He has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Thushar is a businessman. He is also the Vice President of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP); an organization working for the betterment of the Ezhava Community in Kerala. His father, Vellappally Natesan, is the President of the SNDP and a highly influential and a household name in Kerala. Thushar’s party, the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) was launched by his father as a political outfit for the SNDP.
Thushar Vellappally At The Launch Of BDJS
Physical Appearance
Height: 5′ 6″
Weight: 70 kg
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
Thushar Vellappally
Family
Thushar Vellappally belongs to the Ezhava Community (OBC). His father, Vellappally Natesan, is a very famous leader in Kerala; he is the President of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP). His mother, Preethi Natesan, is the Director of the SNDP. He has a sister, Vandana Sreekumar, who is an Engineer and is married.
Thushar Vellappally With His Father Vellappally Natesan
Thushar Vellappally’s Mother Preethi Natesan
Political Career
Thushar Vellappally was a businessman before he started his career in politics. He also did not have an interest in politics until December 2015, when his father, Vellappally Natesan, formed his own party, the BDJS. The Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) was formed as a political outfit of the SNDP. His father was the President of the SNDP and Thusahar was the Vice President. Thushar started taking an interest in politics when the BDJS was formed. Just a few months after the party was formed, Thusahar was named as the President of the BDJS and his father stepped away from the party, giving Thushar full control over the BDJS.
Thushar Vellappally After Being Named The President Of The BDJS
His party contested the 2016 Assembly Elections of Kerala and had candidates in 37 of the 140 seats. They did not win but got 4% of the total vote share; which was impressive as a first-time party, The BDJS had an aim to unite all the other Hindu Outfits and the Minorities of Kerala and fight for all their rights together and present a united front. Thushar met leaders of several outfits but an alliance could not be formed.
Thushar Vellappally Meeting Leaders Of Various Hindu Outfits
In November 2016, Thushar formed an alliance with the BJP and the BDJS became a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Thushar was also appointed as the State Convener of the NDA in Kerala.
Thushar Vellappally With Narendra Modi
Before the 2019 General Elections, Rahul Gandhi had announced that he’ll be contesting the elections from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh as well Wayanad, Kerala. Just a few days later, Amit Shah announced that Thushar Vellappally will be contesting the Lok Sabha Elections from the Wayanad Constituency of Kerala.
I proudly announce Shri Thushar Vellappally, President of Bharat Dharma Jana Sena as NDA candidate from Wayanad.
A vibrant and dynamic youth leader, he represents our commitment towards development and social justice. With him, NDA will emerge as Kerala’s political alternative.
— Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 1, 2019
This came in as a surprise to many as the BDJS had already announced a candidate from the Wayanad seat. The previous candidate thereafter withdrew and Thushar then filed his nomination from the Wayanad Constituency.
Controversies
- In March 2018, the Kerala High Court gave the Anti-Corruption and Vigilance Bureau permission to investigate Thushar Vellappally and his father, in relation to complaints accusing them of financial irregularities amounting to INR 5,000 Crores.
- In May 2018, Thushar Vellapally and 6 others of the SNDP were booked for allegedly syphoning off INR 1.5 Crores under the cover of a microfinance scheme aimed to help the poor.
- In December 2018, he openly and strongly opposed the Sabarimala Verdict of the Supreme Court of letting women enter the Sabarimala Temple. He stated that the verdict was disappointing and protested against it on social media.
Facts
- The BDJS has always relied heavily on the votes of the Ezhava Community and the Hindus. Thushar has always stated that the BDJS is a secular party and not just a Hindu Right Wing Party.
- Thushar and his family have been accused by many for corruption. It has also been reported that his father Vellappally Natesan has turned the SNDP into a family business as many of his family members are in the senior positions of the SNDP and he has even accepted bribes from people who wished to be in important positions of the SNDP.
- Several members of the SNDP objected Thushar to stay on as the Vice-President of the SNDP even after he became the President of the BDJS, but the objection was removed later.