Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut on Monday sought to clarify his party’s position amid the political debate surrounding the Padma Bhushan award conferred on former Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Raut said the issue should not be viewed through the lens of personal rivalry, stressing that his party holds no personal grudge against the veteran leader.
“I have also spoken to him personally. We have no personal enmity with Koshyari Ji,” Raut told reporters, underlining that differences, if any, are political and ideological in nature rather than personal.
Raut acknowledged Koshyari’s long public career, noting his association with national-level organisations and his past role as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. Referring to the prestigious civilian honour, Raut said, “He has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan. That is his matter, his government, and the people of his ideology.”
The Sena (UBT) leader added that decisions regarding awards are taken by the ruling establishment and reflect its priorities and worldview. “It is their government, and they decide whom to honour. We look at such decisions politically, not personally,” he remarked.
