BJP’s new message regarding state awards, which is why 5 states gained importance

Out of a total of 131 Padma awards, a total of 38 people from five states have received this top state award this year.

By publishing the list of more than a hundred Padma awards this year, the ruling BJP-led NDA government has given a new message. Political analysts believe that they have continued the strategy of giving subtle political messages again. Especially, the issue of giving awards to personalities from states where elections are coming up has come to the center of discussion. These include Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry.

Out of a total of 131 Padma awards, a total of 38 people from these five states have received this top state award this year. Out of these, three out of five of India's second highest civilian honor 'Padma Vibhushan' have been given from Kerala. This decision is seen as politically significant as part of strengthening the BJP's efforts to form a government in Kerala. The Wire reported.

Former Kerala Chief Minister and CPI(M) leader V. S. Achyutanandan (posthumously), renowned RSS leader P. Narayanan and former Supreme Court Justice K. T. Thomas have been awarded the Padma Vibhushan. Actor Mammootty from the same state has been given the Padma Bhushan, which holds special significance in the Malayalam film industry.

Tamil Nadu has received the maximum number of awards of 13, although the BJP's political influence in the state is relatively weak. 11 people are on the list from West Bengal, including actor Prosenjit Chatterjee and musicians.

Meanwhile, the late Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren has been given the Padma Bhushan to send a message of staying above political divisions. Although his son and current Chief Minister Hemant Soren has paid tribute to it, saying that his father is equivalent to the 'Bharat Ratna' for the people of Jharkhand.

In total, a total of 131 Padma Awards were given in 2026 - 5 Padma Vibhushans, 13 Padma Bhushans and 113 Padma Shris. In the run-up to the elections, this list of awards has been the subject of heated discussion and criticism regarding its political message and strategy.