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The development came after the central government on Sunday announced the Padma Bhushan award for Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who served as Maharashtra governor from 2019 to 2023.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut (Image: PTI/File)
A major political row erupted over the Centre’s decision to honour former Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari with Padma Bhushan, with Opposition leaders in the state opposing the decision. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that Koshyari had murdered democracy and the Constitution in the state by toppling the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government.
The development came after the central government on Sunday announced the Padma Bhushan award for former Uttarakhand chief minister Koshyari, who served as Maharashtra governor from 2019 to 2023.
Reacting on the government’s decision, Raut said even the Mahayuti government, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, should condemn the decision to award Padma Bhushan to Koshyari, who had insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and reformers Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule.
Koshyari Reacts
Reacting to the statement of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and former Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said that he will continue to work for Bharat Mata and is don’t want someone’s appreciation or criticism.
“I don’t work for someone’s appreciation or criticism. I am a worker of the RSS, and for me Bharat Mata is everything…I will continue to work for Bharat Mata…”
Karti Chidambaram Attacks Centre
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Monday attacked the central government over the announcement of the Padma Awards 2026, accusing the BJP-led central government of selecting favoured recipients from poll-bound states.
Chidambaram stated that the government had made the process of selecting Padma Awardees easier by prioritising individuals from states where elections are due.
He further contradicted the government’s “One Nation, One Election” model, stating that with this, the system of selecting Padma awardees would get complicated.
“If there was One Nation One Election, it would be so complicated for the Government to choose Padma Award recipients! Now it’s so much simpler, just choose persons from poll-bound states,” he wrote in a post on X.
If there was One Nation One Election, it would be so complicated for the Government to choose Padma Award recipients! Now it’s so much simpler, just choose persons from poll bound states. #PadmaAwards2026— Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) January 25, 2026
BJP Reacts
Reacting to the accusation, BJP MP Saumitra Khan slammed the Congress party for opposing the Padma awards stating that questioning the selection reflects disregard for the Constitution.
Taking to X, he wrote, “Opposing the Padma Awards 2026 selection reflects disregard for the Constitution. Every Padma awardee is an honour to society and the nation. Congress leaders opposing constitutionally sanctioned decisions must rethink, reform, and respect.”
Padma Awards
The Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian honours of India, are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day.
The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service; Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of higher order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field of activity.
January 26, 2026, 14:33 IST
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