Kottayam (Keralam) | Congress MLA Chandy Oommen on Tuesday praised Nair Service Society General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair, calling him an "asset" to Keralam.

Oommen's remarks follow sharp criticism directed at Nair by Kerala Congress (B) leader K B Ganesh Kumar.

The Nair Service Society (NSS) is a prominent organisation representing the Nair community in Keralam.

Oommen termed the attempts to insult Nair "extremely vile".

Defending Nair's public conduct, he said, "Each person has his or her own style. It is not right to distort that style and portray it differently." Oommen told reporters that Sukumaran Nair was "one of the most important personalities in Kerala's public life" and described him as an "asset to Keralam".

Kumar had raised allegations regarding the internal management of NSS and questioned appointments and financial transactions.

Kumar had said he would not initiate legal proceedings against Nair but would present his allegations before the "people's court".

He alleged that Nair's relatives had been appointed to key positions in various NSS-run institutions.

Kumar also questioned certain financial transactions involving a bank and the present ownership of a college in Tamil Nadu that was earlier owned by the NSS.

He further alleged that Nair had acted against democratic norms by dissolving the NSS Pathanapuram Taluk Union, which he headed, despite claiming the support of a majority of its members.

Nair had earlier said Kumar should pursue legal means if he had objections to the functioning of the NSS.