'If VS were alive, would have declined Padma awards', says CPM Gen Secretary M A Baby

THIRUVANANANTHAPURAM: CPM General Secretary MA Baby opined that the late chief minister Achuthanandan would have declined the Padma awards if he were alive today.

MA BABY:

“EMS Namboodiripad, Jyoti Basu, Harikishan Singh Surjit, Buddhadev Bhattacharya, and Dr M. P. Parameswaran are among those who have declined such awards. Public service and political work are for the people, and not aimed at any awards. While expressing their happiness at being considered for the award, each of them made it clear that they cannot accept such recognitions based on party consciousness. This decision came from a political conviction rather than the official directive of the party.

The family of comrade VS expressed happiness over the award. It is up to them to decide whether to accept the award or not.”

Meanwhile, CPM state secretary MV Govindan welcomed the Padma Vibhushan conferred to VS.