In a sensational claim, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday alleged that he was offered a bribe of ₹1 crore for a Padma award during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2010. Chandrasekhar, who is known for his work in the telecom sector, revealed that the award was proposed in recognition of his contributions, but the offer also included a financial inducement to secure the honor.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Chandrasekhar shared his experience and drew a comparison with the recent awarding of the U.S. Medal of Freedom to billionaire philanthropist George Soros. He wrote:
“George Soros getting the US Medal of Freedom reminds me how Padma Awards were given during the Cong UPA. In 2010, I was approached for a ₹1 crore bribe to get a Padma Award for my work in telecom. I refused, and instead, the UPA awarded it to a bank defaulter, Chatwal.”
Padma Awards are India’s highest civilian honors, recognizing outstanding contributions across various fields, including arts, science, literature, and public service. Chandrasekhar’s allegations have drawn significant attention, as he claims the offer was part of a broader issue with how awards were distributed during the UPA tenure.
While the allegation has yet to be formally addressed by the Congress party or other officials from the UPA government, the timing of Chandrasekhar’s statement has sparked a political debate, especially in light of the recent U.S. award ceremony. The controversy surrounding his claim continues to unfold as further reactions and clarifications are awaited.
