"Karthik Maharaj was conferred Padma Shri for attacking Mamata Banerjee": TMC leader

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], January 26 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after Karthik Maharaj was conferred the Padma Shri award, alleging that the BJP awarded him for his attacks on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Kunal Ghosh said, "Arijit Singh deserves the award, he is a great singer. But Karthik Maharaj receiving this award proves that this is a BJP award, it is sponsored, recommended and given by BJP. We don't need to learn Hinduism from Karthik Maharaj. Mamta Kulkarni has also taken Sanyas. If today someone becomes a Sanyasi, it can't erase their previous works. Karthik Maharaj is a respected person in his circle but the award he got is under the recommendation of the BJP and for political use. BJP awarded him for attacking Mamata Banerjee."
Renowned sculptor Adwaita Charan Gadanayak, calligraphy artist Achyut Ramchandra Palav, Bollywood singer Arijit Singh, comedian and actor Ashok Laxman Saraf, classical vocalist Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Barry Godfray John, Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara, singer Jaspinder Narula, Nirmala Devi, Nitin Nohria, P Datchanamoorthy, Pandi Ram Mandavi, Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej, are among those being awarded Padma Shri.
The Padma awards, among the country's highest civilian honours, are conferred in three categories - Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. The Padma Awards are conferred by the President of India.
Reacting to President Droupadi Murmu backing moves on 'One Nation, One Election' Ghosh further said that she read the script provided by the Central government.
He further said, "Our stance is very clear and we oppose 'One Nation, One Election' as it is not possible in our infrastructure. It is a huge country and the local, assembly and central elections have different perspectives. Interim elections take place here. President's speech is scripted by government and she read the government's agenda."
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday lauded 'One Nation One Election' as she emphasised the role of the Constitution in providing the foundation of "our collective identity as Indians" and noted that India's economy today influences the global economic trends. (ANI)