Verbal Sparring Over Padma Awards in Telangana: Congress vs BJP
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Synopsis
A heated exchange has arisen between Telangana Congress and BJP leaders over Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's dissatisfaction regarding the Centre's omission of state-recommended Padma award recipients, highlighting political tensions over recognition.
Key Takeaways
- Telangana leaders clash over Padma awards.
- Chief Minister Reddy expresses discontent.
- BJP's Bandi Sanjay questions awardees.
- Congress defends Gaddar's legacy.
- Reddy plans to address Modi for fair recognition.
Hyderabad, Jan 27 (NationPress) A verbal clash has surfaced between the Congress and BJP leaders in Telangana after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed his discontent regarding the Centre's decision to overlook Padma awards for significant individuals nominated by the state government.
Following comments from Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay on Monday, who asserted that the Centre honors only those deemed deserving with Padma awards, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud responded sharply.
The Congress leader criticized the notion that only individuals aligned with the BJP ideology would receive Padma accolades.
“Why didn’t Bandi Sanjay recall Gaddar’s ideology while embracing him?” queried the TPCC chief, as he condemned the Minister of State's statements on the revolutionary balladeer and former Maoist thinker.
The Congress leaders shared an archival video showing Bandi Sanjay embracing Gaddar.
Mahesh Kumar Goud also questioned whether the Constitution mandates that only BJP and RSS affiliates should be recognized with awards.
Earlier, while speaking to the media, the BJP leader questioned the rationale behind honoring Gaddar with a Padma award.
“Awarding a Padma to those who supported 'Naxalism' is akin to desecrating the memories of fallen police officers and BJP workers who became victims of this ideology. It betrays the families of these brave officers. How can the state even contemplate honoring someone under investigation by NIA for inciting violence?” Bandi Sanjay remarked on X.
The state government had proposed the Padma Vibhushan for Gaddar, who passed away in 2023.
Revanth Reddy expressed his dissatisfaction with the Centre for ignoring the nominees put forth by the state government, labeling it an insult to Telangana.
He intends to send a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting fair recognition for Telangana in the Padma awards.
Telangana received only two of the 139 awards, which included Padma Vibhushan for renowned Gastroenterologist Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy and Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS) founder Manda Krishna Madiga.
Revanth Reddy stated that the state deserved a minimum of five awards.
The state government had recommended notable figures such as Gaddar (Padma Vibhushan), Chukka Ramaiah (Padma Bhushan), Andesri (Padma Bhushan), Gorati Venkanna (Padma Shri), and Jayadheer Tirumala Rao (Padma Shri) for their exceptional contributions in various domains.
