‘Padma for Azad political decision’

Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily said on Thursday the Narendra Modi government’s decision to confer Padma Bhushan on Ghulam Nabi Azad was a political one and not based on merit.

He said the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister should not accept the award if he thinks that it harms the interest of the Congress party. “Narendra Modi took a political decision,” Moily said. “They have taken a decision politically. Now, it’s for him (Azad) to take a decision (on whether to accept or decline the award).’’