'Was proposed for Padma Awards in 2010 by UPA', reveals Rajeev Chandrashekar as Soros' recognition sparks controversy

BJP leader Rajeev Chandrashekar has revealed an incident from 2010 regarding India's Padma Awards, in which he claims he was nominated by the then Congress-led UPA government

BJP leader Rajeev Chandrashekar has revealed an incident from 2010 regarding India's Padma Awards, in which he claims he was nominated by the then Congress-led UPA government.

In a post shared on social media platform X, he stated that he was approached with a bribe of ₹1 crore to secure the award for his contributions to the telecom sector, a proposition he declined.

George Soros getting US Medal of Freedom reminds me how Padma Awards were given durng Cong UPA.In 2010, I was proposed for Padma for my Telecom work.I was approached for a bribe of 1cr. I refused. UPA govt gave it to Bank defaulter Chatwal pic.twitter.com/icRnwmt86L
Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@RajeevRC_X) January 5, 2025

Chandrashekar also further claimed that the award ultimately went to hotelier and bank defaulter Subhash Chandra Chatwal. This resurfacing incident follows recent discussions around George Soros receiving the US Medal of Freedom.

Soros, a billionaire philanthropist and investor, was among 19 individuals honored by outgoing US President Joe Biden for their contributions globally. The recognition sparked debates about award systems, particularly in India and the US.

Soros is known for his extensive philanthropic work through the Open Society Foundations. In recent years, he has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the BJP accusing him of attempting to interfere in Indian elections.

In Parliament, the BJP raised concerns over alleged links between Congress leaders and Soros-backed organizations, a claim that was vehemently denied by the opposition. Soros had previously criticized the Modi government in 2020 during a World Economic Forum event in Davos, calling nationalism a rising trend in India.