Modi's praise ends ex-police chief's honeymoon with BJP

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi showered praise on ISRO former scientist and recent Padma Bhushan recipient Nambi Narayanan, the honeymoon of former Kerala police chief T P Senkumar with the BJP-RSS has almost ended.

Senkumar, considered a BJP probable candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, was critical of the Padma award being conferred on Nambi Narayanan as he doubted his merit and integrity despite being acquitted in an espionage case. Senkumar mocked the choice of Nambi and said even hardcore criminals may get Padma awards.

Modi feeler

Just a day later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself came out in support of Nambi. In his address at Thrissur in Kerala on Sunday, he termed Nambi as a hard working and patriotic scientist whom BJP was honoured to confer Padma award on.

Political analysts said that the message given by Modi was very clear. They give more importance to Nambi than Senkumar. Now it has to be seen if Nambi would be fielded by the BJP in the elections.

Senkumar, who drew national attention in 2017 over his successful fight against the Left government in Kerala for removing him from the police chief post, was openly maintaining a good rapport with the BJP-RSS after retiring from service in June 2017. The relationship strengthened over the Sabarimala women's entry row and there was speculation that Senkumar could be a probable BJP candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. There were even reports that Senkumar may be made Governor. But a section within the BJP itself was opposed to Senkumar's entry into electoral politics.