Will vote for BJP: Padma awardee Quadri amid row over praising Modi

Padma Shri awardee and veteran Bidri craft artist Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri has said that he spoke his mind amid controversy around his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I told him whatever was in my heart. I told him that I tried for the award during Congress time. When the BJP government came, I was upset and gave up trying. But he proved me wrong-- this is what I told him. I never approached any individual politician. I used to work on my own and send my profile to the government. I never received any reply then but now they are replying and saying that I have been taught," India Today quoted him as saying in an interview.

In the viral video, Quadri is heard telling the PM that the BJP government proved him wrong by giving him an award. "When your government came, I thought now the BJP government would not give me any award. But you have proved me wrong. I express my sincere gratitude to you," Quadri was heard saying in the clip. Prime Minister Modi responded with laughter in admiration of the veteran artist.

However, the Congress slammed the video and accused the BJP of tutoring him to praise PM Modi.

He then claimed that he used to send his portfolios to the government when the Congress was in power, but it was of no use. "I met the Prime Minister and spoke what I had in mind. I told him what I went through. During the Congress regime, I gave up my hope of getting a Padma Shri after repeatedly getting rejected for five years," he told the channel.

"I have always voted for the Congress. But now I have a favour to return to the BJP government," he is quoted as saying by another news channel.

He also stated that he cannot be tutored. "I am 68 years old. Am I a child that I can be tutored?" he asked.

President Droupadi Murmu presented three Padma Vibhushan, five Padma Bhushan and 47 Padma Shri Awards for the year 2023 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday.