KOCHI: CPM state secretariat member M Swaraj politely declined the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award earlier announced for his book. With the news of the award going public, Swaraj was forced to break the silence as he said, it was his long-held ethos not to accept an award of any kind. Swaraj said his decision comes amidst keeping all admiration and respect for the Kerala Sahitya Akademi.

Swaraj said he was late to react to the award news as he was busy with the CPM state committee meeting.

Swaraj's book of essays, 'Pookalude Pusthakam' received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi's Endowment Award in the essay category. Swaraj's book was awarded the C.B. Kumar Award. The former MLA admitted to his aversion to awards and said that he has been following the same formula throughout his life, to not accept awards of any kind, be it for literary or political achievements.