By the way, in 2022, the Modi authorities nominated former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya because the recipient of the Padma Bhushan award. Nonetheless, left-wing figures nonetheless alive on the time refused to just accept the award.
Even within the Nineties, EMS Namboodiripad, chief of the Communist Social gathering of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) and the primary chief minister of Kerala, had rejected the Padma Vibhushan provide by the Congress-led PV Narasimha Rao authorities. In 2022, former CPI(M) common secretary Prakash Karat reiterated that it was the occasion’s coverage to not settle for the nationwide award.
“Commissioner Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, who was nominated for the Padma Bhushan award, has declined the award. CPI(M)’s coverage has at all times been to say no such awards from the nation. Our work is for the individuals, not for the award. ComEMS, which was earlier supplied the award, has declined the award,” CPI(M) mentioned in a press release on the time.
Com. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, who was nominated for the Padma Bhushan award, refused to just accept the award. CPI(M) coverage has persistently been to disclaim such awards from the state. Our work is for individuals, not for awards. Com EMS, which had beforehand been supplied the award, declined it. pic.twitter.com/fTmkkzeABl
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) January 25, 2022
However on Sunday, a press release first launched by the official deal with of CPI(M) Kerala on social media platform X signaled a change within the occasion’s stand.
“Comrade VS Achuthanandan might be honored posthumously with Padma Vibhushan. His lifelong battle, integrity and repair to the working class might be endlessly remembered,” he mentioned. The put up was later deleted.
In Kerala, the award was obtained by the household of Achuthanandan (often known as VS), who handed away in 2025 on the age of 101. “The consideration bestowed on my father could be very treasured and we settle for it gladly,” his son, retired Military officer Arun Kumar, advised reporters.
Out of the 5 Padma Vibhushan awards in 2026, as many as three had been received by outstanding personalities from Kerala. Aside from Achuthanandan, who served as Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011, former Supreme Court docket choose KT Thomas and RSS ideologue P Narayanan had been additionally awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
Different awardees from the state embody Velappally Natesan, common secretary of SNDP Yogam (Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam), a significant socio-religious group representing the Ezhava neighborhood, and actor Mammootty. Each had been awarded Padma Bhushan awards.
The BJP has been attempting to extend help among the many Ezhava neighborhood in Kerala, which has traditionally supported the Left Democratic Entrance (LDF). Each Achuthanandan and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan are from this neighborhood.
Election surveys performed by the Heart for the Research of Growing Societies (CSDS) in Kerala between 2006 and 2019 present that the help base of the Bharatiya Janata Social gathering’s Nehru and Ezhava has persistently elevated over the previous decade.
Padma Bhushan’s transfer for former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shiv Soren additionally attracted consideration. It’s because his son, present CM Hemant Soren, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, a central company, in 2024 on corruption expenses. JMM referred to as this an act of political vendetta by the Modi authorities.
Following the announcement of the Padma Bhushan award for Shiv Soren, who performed a key function within the creation of Jharkhand from Bihar in 2000, the JMM has renewed its name for the awarding of India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, to Shiv Soren.
In actual fact, the best civilian award has additionally been utilized by the Bharatiya Janata Social gathering to attain political factors. In 2019, former President Pranab Mukherjee obtained the award, and in 2024, former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao obtained the award together with socialist icons Karpoori Thakur and Chaudhary Charan Singh.
A complete of 13 Padma Awards had been awarded to Tamil Nadu, making it the only largest award amongst all states. Tamil Nadu was adopted by West Bengal, the place key figures received 11 awards, together with the Padma Shri for common actor Prosenjit Chatterjee. Eight went to Kerala, 5 to Assam and one to Pondicherry, the place he’s additionally heading to the polling sales space.
