Congress claims BJP 'tutored' Padma awardee artist to praise PM Modi for Muslim votes in Karnataka elections

After the Padma awards ceremony on Wednesday, when PM Modi greeted Quadri and shook his hands, the Kannada artist told the PM: "I was expecting a Padma award during the UPA government, but I did not get it. When your government came, I thought now the BJP government would not give any award to a Muslim. So, I stopped expecting. But you have proved me wrong. I express my sincere gratitude to you".

The video of veteran artist thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP after receiving the Padma Shri award has gone viral.

Reacting to Qadri’s remarks, Congress's Pramod Tiwari said, "To get an advantage in the Karnataka polls, they tutored Rasheed Quadri to make such a statement so that they get the sympathy of the Muslim voters. But it is not going to happen."

Tiwari also claimed that the BJP is releasing only select statements to push its prospects in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections.

Veteran Bidri craft artist from Karnataka, Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri, received Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala slammed Pramod Tiwari for insulting the craftsman. "Congress’ Pramod Tiwari who wanted separate law for Gandhis now alleges that legendary Bidri craftsman, Padmashri Shah Rashid Ahmed Qadri was "tutored" to praise PM @narendramodi for votes (sic)," he said in a tweet.

"This is an insult of not just the craftsman but of Karnataka & of the Padma Awardees who come from most humble backgrounds. Today the Awards have become People’s Padma but true to its character Congress parivar attacks these people, Karnataka’s culture & art. Will they sack Pramod Tewari? Or else people will respond in Karnataka," the BJP spokesperson wrote on Twitter