I am overwhelmed, says Punjab CM

Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 25

With the Narendra Modi-led BJP government choosing him for Padma Vibhushan, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his party, the SAD, are in a celebratory mood.

“I am overwhelmed with the feeling of the boundless humility at being chosen for the rare honour,” said Badal.
Holding the office of Chief Minister the fifth time after entering politics in the mid 1950s, Badal, 88, is one of the oldest politicians and Chief Ministers in the country.

When he became Punjab CM for the first time in 1970, he was the youngest politician to hold the office.

Badal was perhaps the only regional party leader to stand by the BJP in the 1990s when it was treated as untouchable by other political parties because of the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

As the SAD chief, he extended unconditional support to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1996 and has continued to be BJP’s ally ever since.

Obviously, the BJP has paid him back now by choosing him for one of the highest civil awards that has puts him in the top league of politicians honoured with this award. He is perhaps the first Chief Minister to get this award.