THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam comes down heavily on former state police chief T P Senkumar for criticising conferring Padma Bhushan to former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan. The minister said we should celebrate the award announced to Nambi Narayan. To create a controversy when anyone is recognised is the problem of Keralite’s DNA. Senkumar is not a BJP member and he has the right to opine, added Kannanthanam.

The name of Nambi Narayanan shouldn’t have recommended for Padma Awards. There has been no contribution from his side to be honoured and who recommended him for the award. Senkumar had sought an explanation from them for this. The Supreme Court had constituted a committee by a team led by retired judges to enquire things that happened in ISRO. Without their findings coming out how can he be recommended for the award, asked Senkumar?

Widespread protests were voiced on the incident. Minister A K Balan had asked the BJP to reply on Senkumar’s statement and said that he started making such statements after cooperating with the BJP. However, party state chief P S Sreedharan Pillai said that the party does not owe a reply to his statements. Those who recommended Nambi Narayanan’s name should respond to it.