Congress made Nambi a pawn in fight, says PM Modi

Thrissur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at the Congress for making ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan “a pawn to settle scores in the party's factional fight two decades ago”.

“It showed the lackadaisical way in which the Congress treated the strategic interests of the country,” Mr Modi said addressing the valedictory meeting of the Yuva Morcha state conference here on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Modi said that Nambi Narayanan was a hardworking and patriotic scientist and that it was an honour for his government to confer the Padma award on him.

In his 40-minute speech, Mr Modi came down heavily on the Left Democratic Front (LDF)  government, the CPM and the Congress on the Sabrimala issue, corruption and the allegations raised by the Opposition parties against electronic voting machines.

“The cultural ethos of Kerala was under attack, which was being led by the party heading the government in the state. The Congress which took different stands at the centre and in the state on the Sabarimala issue had exposed its double standard,” he said.

“Sabarimala has attracted the entire nation's attention. The people are watching how the Communist government is disrespecting all aspects of Kerala's culture. One does not understand why the Communists are undermining our culture and civilisation which have stood the test of time,” Mr Modi said.