In a development that is bound to spark a political debate across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share stage with beleaguered NCP chief Shrad Pawar at a function organised in Pune to confer the Lokmanya Tilak National Award to the former (Modi) “in recognition of his supreme leadership and for awakening the feeling of patriotism among citizens”.

Announcing the decision to choose Modi as the nominee for this year’s Lokmanya Tilak National Award, the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust president Deepak Tilak said in Pune: “Our Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) will confer the Lokmanya Tilak National Award upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1, the 103rd death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak”.

The news release announcing Modi’s nomination for the prestigious award — content of which is bound to trigger a fierce political discourse in the country — said that “India climbed the ladder of progress under the supreme leadership of the PM under the concept of Atma Nirbhar Bharat”.

“Prime Minister Modi awakened the feeling of patriotism among citizens and put India on the global map. Considering his perseverance and efforts, and highlighting his work, the trustees of the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust have unanimously selected him for this award,” the release said. Deepak Tilak, who is the great grandson of iconic freedom fighter Lokmanya Balgandhar Tilak, said that Sharad Pawar, who has been close to the Tilak family for several years, had been invited to the award ceremony as the chief guest.

Interestingly enough, the other invitees to the August 1 2023 ceremony would include Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.

The coming together of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and the likes of his party’s rebel leader Ajit Pawar and other key players involved in the recent revolt within the NCP like Fadnavis of the the BJP and Modi who is being seen as the top most leader who is pulling the strings to create disturbances with the Opposition patties is of considerable political significance.

Instituted by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust in 1983, the Lokmanya Tilak National Award is given every year to an Indian who has dedicated his life to strengthening the country’s democratic principles and contributed to Tilak’s dream of a strong and modern India. The award comprises a cash prize of Rs one lakh and a memento.

The award is annually given on August 1, the death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak. Several prominent personalities like Indira Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh, Atal Biharee Vajpayee, Pranab Mukherjee, NR Narayana Murthy, Industrialist Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, senior scientist Tessy Thomas and veteran journalist N Ram have been given this award.