Padma awards for 8 Kannadigas show Karnataka has abundant talent, says CM Bommai
Bengaluru (PTI): Expressing happiness over Padma Awards being conferred on 8 distinguished Kannadigas from different walks of life, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said it shows the bountiful talent that Karnataka has.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for picking people, who have made rich contribution to the nation without any expectations, for the award.
"Eight persons from Karnataka-including former CM S M Krishna, social worker Sudha Murty and noted Kannada litterateur Prof S L Byrappa have been selected for Padma awards. The selection of eight persons from Karnataka shows the bountiful talents that Karnataka has. The government will like to congratulate everyone," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the Modi government has picked people who have made rich contribution to the nation without any expectations and never cried for any publicity. The Prime Minister and the Union government have given more preference to the achievements than other things while selecting them for the prestigious Padma awards.
S M Krishna has been conferred with Padma Vibhushan for Public Affairs, S L Bhyrappa and Sudha Murty have been conferred with Padma Bhushan in Literature & Education, and Social Work respectively.
Other eminent people are K. V Dudekula (Science and Engineering), Rani Machaiah (Art), N P Munivenkatappa (Art), Rasheed Ahmed Quadri (Art) and S Subbaraman (Archaeology).
Bommai on the Republic Day called on the people to dedicate themselves for the Constitution, follow it and vow for the progress of nation.
Speaking after paying tributes to the martyrs at National War Memorial here , he said India has emerged as a super power and it has a rich heritage and a separate and unique features.
"Our country is modern and progressive and humane and is marching forward with the theme of Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ka Prayas," he added.
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BJP leader Kirit Somaiya declines party appointment, says he was not consulted
Mumbai, Sep 10: BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on Tuesday refused to take up the responsibility as "communication chief with the Election Commission of India for Maharashtra assembly polls", stating that he should have been consulted beforehand.
In a letter to Raosaheb Danve, chairman of the party's state election campaign committee, the former Mumbai MP termed the treatment given to him as 'insulting'.
"It is wrong to appoint me as communication chief with the Election Commission of India for Maharashtra assembly polls without even discussing it with me. I disapprove of it, but you can appoint someone else for that position," read the letter.
"I am not a member of this committee, and I request you and the state president (Chandrashekhar Bawankule) not to treat me such insultingly," Somaiya added.
The letter also touched on a period in the past when the BJP, then in alliance with the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray, had to sideline Somaiya as he had targeted the Shiv Sena continually over alleged corruption in the Mumbai civic body. Having won in 2014, he was denied Lok Sabha ticket in 2019, as well as in 2024.
"I have been working as a humble party worker since February 18, 2019, when BJP leaders directed me to leave the joint press conference because of Uddhav Thackeray's insistence. I took the responsibility of exposing various corrupt practices of the then Uddhav Thackeray government and also survived three near-fatal attacks, but I did my duty," he said.
"I am satisfied with the affection I have received from you during these last five and a half years. I will continue to work for the party in the upcoming assembly elections," Somaiya added.
The former Mumbai MP later also posted a message on X, saying, "I thank BJP Maharashtra for appointing me as Member of Campaign Committee and expressed Regrets and inability to do the same. I am still an active and ordinary member of the BJP and will continue to do so, but I will not join the committee."
When asked for comment, state BJP chief Bawankule said, "Somaiya is our senior leader. It is a rule in the BJP that we do not ask anyone, we delegate responsibilities. The party did not discuss with me whether I wanted to become state chief or not. I was made state chief directly."
I thank BJP Maharashtra for appointing Me as Member of Campaign Committee & Expressed REGRET & Inability to do the same
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) September 10, 2024
I wrote @cbawankule that for last 5 & 1/2 years (since 18/2/2019) I am doing BJP work as ORDINARY Member & Continue the same & will NOT join Campaign Comitee
