Modi Phobia: Lata Mangeshkar is not Congress's slave, says Shiv Sena

Mumbai, Nov 13: Soon after the controversy over

and her awards,

has come after

leader who claimed that awards given to the singer should be stripped down. Attacking Congress leader Janardhan Chandurkar, Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut claimed that the legendary singer is not a "slave of Congress".

Raut's statement surfaced following Chandurkar's remark in which he said, "Artists who are showing support to politicians should give up their Padma awards or else the government should strip them of their awards."

Reacting against the above statement, Raut said, "These awards are not the property of Chandurkar's grandfather. These are awards conferred by the government in recognition of a person's contribution to different fields."

1 does not become a slave of the govt just because it gave an award to a person

"The government had given the Bharat Ratna and other prestigious awards to Lataji in recognition of her immense contribution to the world of music," Raut added.

Continuing his criticisim, the Sena leader also asserted, "One does not become a slave of the government just because it gave an award to a person. Every award-winner, including Lataji, is entitled to her opinion. It is absurd to ask her to return the awards. If Chandurkar dislikes Lataji so much, he should stop listening to her songs."

It seems that Congress leaders have lost their cool when the legendary singer praised BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi. Mangeshkar, while attending a function in Mumbai, said, "I pray to God that what we want is fulfilled and Narendra Bhai becomes the PM. This is everyone's wish."

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Nalin S Kohli tweeted, "Modi phobia at its worst. Lata ji praises Modi ji & the Congress demands that her awards should be taken back!"

Lata was bestowed with Bharat Ratna in 2001. She received Padma Bhushan in 1969, Padma Vibhushan in 1999 and Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1989, among other awards.

OneIndia News