Thushar Vellappally is a prominent Indian politician, known for his involvement in Kerala’s political landscape. He’s held several key positions and has been a significant figure in the state’s political discourse.
Wiki/Biography
Thushar Vellappally was born in 1970 (age 53 years as of 2023). He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Before entering politics, he was a businessman and served as the Vice President of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP), a significant organization advocating for the Ezhava community in Kerala. His father, Vellappally Natesan, a highly influential leader in Kerala, is the President of the SNDP. Thushar’s political journey began with his father’s formation of the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS).
Physical Appearance
- Height: 5’6″
- Weight: 70 kg
- Eye Color: Black
- Hair Color: Black
Family, Caste, and Wife
Thushar Vellappally hails from the Ezhava community (OBC). His father, Vellappally Natesan, is a renowned leader in Kerala and the President of the SNDP. His mother, Preethi Natesan, is the Director of the SNDP. He also has a sister, Vandana Sreekumar, who is an engineer and is married.
Career
Thushar’s political career commenced in December 2015 with the establishment of the BDJS by his father. Initially, Thushar was the Vice President, but he soon took over as President of the BDJS, with his father stepping aside. The BDJS, formed as a political arm of the SNDP, contested the 2016 Kerala Assembly elections. Despite not winning any seats, they secured an impressive 4% of the vote share in their first election.
The party aimed to unite Hindu groups and minorities in Kerala. While Thushar engaged with leaders from various organizations, an alliance didn’t materialize initially. In November 2016, the BDJS joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Thushar was appointed State Convener of the NDA in Kerala. His participation in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, contesting against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, further cemented his position in national politics, although he ultimately lost the election.
Controversies
Thushar Vellappally and his father faced investigations by the Kerala High Court’s Anti-Corruption and Vigilance Bureau concerning alleged financial irregularities within the SNDP. Separate allegations involved a microfinance scheme and a significant cheque bounce case in the UAE, leading to his arrest and subsequent release on bail.
His outspoken opposition to the Sabarimala Temple verdict also generated considerable controversy.
Signature
Assets & Properties
The following table details Thushar Vellappally’s assets as reported in 2019:
| Asset Type | Value (INR) |
|---|---|
| Cash | 1.12 Lacs |
| Bank Deposits | 1.56 Crores |
| Jewellery | 8.75 Lacs |
| Agricultural Land | 9.32 Lacs |
| Non-Agricultural Land | 4.74 Crores |
| Commercial Building | 19.78 Crores |
| Residential Building | 3.96 Crores |
Net Worth
His net worth was estimated to be 33.64 Crores INR in 2019.
Facts
The BDJS primarily relies on the support of the Ezhava community and Hindus. Despite this, Thushar has consistently maintained the party’s secular stance. The family has faced accusations of corruption and nepotism within the SNDP’s organizational structure.
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