‘I Don’t Work For Appreciation’: Maharashtra Ex-Governor Shrugs Off Criticism Over Padma Bhushan Award

Last Updated:January 26, 2026, 21:48 IST

Bhagat Singh Koshyari's response came after several opposition leaders condemned the Centre's decision and denounced the honour.

Former Maharashtra Governor and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) veteran Bhagat Singh Koshyari. (File image)

Former Maharashtra Governor and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday played down the ongoing row over being conferred with Padma Bhushan, asserting that he does not work for “someone’s appreciation or criticism".

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) veteran said that he remained committed to working for “Bharat Mata" and the RSS.

“I don’t work for someone’s appreciation or criticism. I am a worker of the RSS, and for me Bharat Mata is everything. I will continue to work for Bharat Mata," Koshyari said as quoted by news agency ANI.

The former Governor has been conferred with Padma Bhushan alongside US-based Dr Nori Dattatreyudu, late advertising legend Piyush Pandey, businessman Uday Kotak, veteran BJP leader VK Malhotra, actor Mammootty, singer Alka Yagnik, and others.

Opposition Slams Centre’s Move

Koshyari’s response came after several Maharashtra opposition leaders condemned the Centre’s decision and denounced the honour.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut mounted a scathing attack on Koshyari and accused him of murdering “democracy and the Constitution" in the state by toppling the Uddhav Thackeray-led government.

“For murdering democracy and the Indian Constitution in Maharashtra to install the Shinde BJP government, these gentlemen have been honoured by the Modi government with the Padma Bhushan title. The same gentleman had insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Mahatma Phule couple! The BJP honours those who insult Maharashtra! Nice," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said in a post on X.

NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule said that she was “sad" about the Centre’s decision.

“Being a Governor is a big deal. But when he was here, the comments he made for Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule were disliked by all of us. We did not like it because they are respectful figures for us. I still condemn the words he used. Such a huge honour for him is sad," she said.

Mumbai Congress chief and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad said the BJP has a long history of insulting Maharashtra’s great leaders and constitutional icons, citing Koshyari’s past remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule.

Fadnavis Backs Governor, Slams Opposition

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit back at Raut, saying “small-minded people are opposing" the Padma Bhusan to Koshyari. He further noted that Koshyari had chaired the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ committee.

“If you look at the life of Bhagat Singh Koshyari, he’s lived a dedicated life. He’s one of those people who have contributed to the progress of the country. His most important work was the ‘One Rank One Pension’, which was the demand of our army. Besides, his work in the mountain region and his work in strengthening the relationship with Nepal are the reasons why he has been honoured," he said.

He also hit back at the criticism against the honour. “Some people are trying to create a controversy. I can also start naming people who’ve been given awards during some of their tenure, but it wouldn’t suit the occasion," he said.

“Only small-minded people are opposing it," he added.

Why Opposition Is Unhappy With Padma Honour To Koshyari?

Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s tenure as Maharashtra governor, from September 2019 to February 2023, was marked by several controversies. The most notable episode took place in November 2019, when he oversaw an unexpected early-morning swearing-in ceremony amid political uncertainty in the state. At the time, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister during the BJP-Shiv Sena power struggle. The government, however, lasted only three days.

The episode proved to be an early sign of major political changes in Maharashtra. In June 2022, Koshyari again came under criticism after he ordered a floor test following a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde within the Shiv Sena.

The floor test directive eventually led to the resignation of then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, after the Supreme Court declined to stay the governor’s order. Shinde’s rebellion split the Shiv Sena into two factions, triggering a major shift in the state’s political landscape.

(With inputs from agencies)

News politics ‘I Don’t Work For Appreciation’: Maharashtra Ex-Governor Shrugs Off Criticism Over Padma Bhushan Award

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