Author: Kiran Tare
Publication: DNA (Daily News & Analysis)
Date: January 31, 2010
URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_taporis-cheats-do-not-deserve-padma-uddhav-thackeray_1341387
After Shiv Sena targeted actor Shah Rukh Khan
for his advocacy of Pakistani players in the Indian Premiere League (IPL)
its the executive chief Uddhav Thackeray raised questions over awarding Padma
Shri to actor Saif Ali Khan and politician Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil.
Thackeray questioned Saif and Vikhe-Patil's
contribution to society at a function in Girgaum on Friday night. "Nowadays
Padma awards are being 'distributed' to 'taporis' (a slang)," Thackeray
said without naming Saif.
He also targeted Vikhe-Patil, a veteran Congress
leader, who has been conferred the Padma Shri. "Vikhe-Patil is responsible
for a due of Rs18,000 crore to the state government from his Pravara-Mula
cooperative electricity company. Shiv Sena will put posters with a slogan
'keep bills pending and get Padma Shri' in every town of the state,"
Thackeray said.
"I feel ashamed for the way the Padma
awards were 'distributed'. The Union government is pointing fingers at the
committee which recommends names for the awards. Who represents the committee?"
he asked.
Vikhe-Patil had won the Lok Sabha election
in Ahmednagar from Shiv Sena after defecting Congress in 1999. He was made
Union minister of heavy industries in National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
He rejoined Congress in 2004.
The state government has issued a notice to
Pravara-Mula institute headed by Vikhe-Patil asking it to pay the dues.
