File picture: Karan Singh   |  Photo Credit: PTI
Key Highlights
- Padma Bhushan is India’s third-highest civilian award
- Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad was a member of a 23-member group that criticised the leadership of the party and called for changes within the party
- The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to public affairs
New Delhi: After Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s cryptic tweet, his party colleague Karan Singh openly backed Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Padma Bhushan award. He said he was “distressed” about the unseemly controversy and that Azad should be given recognition for his hard work and dedication.
In a statement on Thursday, the Congress leader stated, “I am distressed with the unseemly controversy over the well deserved Padma award to my good friend Ghulam Nabi Azad.”
“These national awards should not become a subject of inter party controversy, far less intra party ones,” he added.
Azad rose to the top of the political ladder with sheer hard work and dedication, and as the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, he played a positive and constructive role, said Karan Singh.
“If one of our colleagues is honoured, he should be appreciated with warm regards rather than snide remarks,” he said.
The Congress party’s internal rift re-surfaced after Ghulam Nabi Azad was awarded the Padma Bhushan award. As the G-23 leaders praised Azad, Jairam Ramesh posted a cryptic tweet.
“Ghulam Nabi Azad conferred Padam Bhushan, Congratulations bhaijan, Ironic that the Congress doesn’t need his services when the nation recognises his contributions to public life,” Sibal tweeted.
Taking a leaf out of the rejection by West Bengal’s former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, Jairam Ramesh took a dig at his party colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad. Ramesh tweeted regarding Bhattacharya’s refusal to accept the award: “Right thing to do. He wants to be Azad not Ghulam.” Buddhadeb Bhattacharya refused to accept his Padma Bhushan award on Tuesday.
Azad is a former Union minister and was the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha until recently. He was among the first members of the Congress to ignite the leadership issue within the party.