Kochi | Kerala Congress (B) leader K B Ganesh Kumar on Tuesday criticised NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair over his remarks against Chief Minister V D Satheesan, saying a person holding the state's highest executive office should be treated with due respect.

Nair Service Society (NSS) is a prominent organisation representing the influential Nair community in Kerala.

Reacting to Nair's recent criticism of the chief minister, Ganesh Kumar said he could not agree with addressing a chief minister in a disrespectful manner and stressed that protocol should be observed irrespective of who occupies the post.

Whichever party he belongs, Satheesan is the chief Minister of Kerala at present and therefore necessary protocol should be maintained, he said.

"It is not in keeping with dignity and decorum to address a chief minister in such a manner," he told reporters here.

Recently, Sukumaran Nair had criticised the chief minister, alleging that despite seeking appointments with the Chief Minister's Office on two occasions, he was not granted time.

He had also described Satheesan as "arrogant" and remarked that he was not one to "hold anyone's feet" for an appointment.

Ganesh Kumar said the chief minister was a busy person and there could be practical limitations in granting appointments.

Noting that he has known Satheesan closely for over 25 years, Kumar said the office of the chief minister deserved special respect.

"V D Satheesan whom I know for the past 25 years will not go seeking out Sukumaran Nair," Kumar said.

He added that he had similarly objected in the past when former chief ministers were addressed disrespectfully and would continue to maintain the same stand.

Kumar's remarks came days after the NSS decided not to reappoint him to its board of directors following the completion of his tenure.

It happend amid tensions between him and the organisation following the dissolution of the NSS Pathanapuram Taluk Union Committee headed by him after a majority of its members resigned.

Kumar had alleged that he enjoyed the support of 12 of the committee's 18 members, but the committee was dissolved and replaced with an ad hoc committee.

NSS General Secretary Sukumaran Nair had subsequently clarified that Kumar's tenure on the NSS board had ended and that he was not selected for another term.

The NSS had inducted Kumar, chairman of Kerala Congress (B), into its board in 2023.