Ironic that Congress doesn’t need his services: Kapil Sibal on Padma award to Ghulam Nabi Azad

Senior leader Kapil Sibal has hit out at the Congress, saying that it's ironic that the party does not need the services of Ghulam Nabi Azad when the nation recognises him.

Senior leader and member of the group of 23 who wanted organisational reforms in the party, Kapil Sibal, has said it is ironic that the Congress does not need the services of Ghulam Nabi Azad when the nation recognises his contributions.

This came after senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was selected for this year's Padma awards.

Kapil Sibal said, "Ghulam Nabi Azad conferred Padam Bhushan. Congratulations bhaijan. Ironic that the Congress doesn’t need his services when the nation recognises his contributions to public life."

However, on Tuesday, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted a cryptic caption, which seemed to be a subtle jibe at party colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad's name on the list of Padma awardees.

Tweeting the news of former Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee rejecting the Padma Bhushan award, Jairam Ramesh said: "Right thing to do. He wants to be Azad not Ghulam".