How did Sachin Tendulkar get the Bharat Ratna?The entire paperwork connected with the awarding of Bharat Ratna to Tendulkar, was finished in about five hours even though there was no recommendation for Sachin. On November 14 afternoon Rahul Gandhi, suddenly aware of the Sachin frenzy sweeping the country on the first day of Sachin's farewell Test against West Indies, decides to cancel his election tour and go to watch the cricket match.

He would have talked to the PMO on November 14 about giving Sachin the Bharat Ratna. At 1.35pm, a letter goes out from the PMO (letter marked Urgent: Out Today) asking the sports ministry to forward a bio-data of Sachin the same day and by evening the bio data was received. By late evening note goes out to PM for conferring the award on Sachin. Two signed letters (Sachin, Rao) were forwarded to the president the next day (15th), president approved it the same day, letters of congratulation were sent out on the 16th,. No national award has been conferred in such a hurry. In this case too there was no need for the rush, unless Rahul Gandhi had asked for it. Also the PMO late in the evening took the trouble of asking the EC if the decision would come under the election code.

Why Rahul's sudden interest in Sachin when the farewell match was known in advance?Rahul's decision to watch Sachin was taken on the 14th because the Mumbai cricket association too was not aware of his visit. Seeing the frenzy he would have hit upon the Bharat Ratna plan and immediately worked on it by talking to the PMO. He arrived on the ground on the 15th and watched the game from the stands (not the VIP pavillion), along with the public. On 14th afternoon he would have known that 15th is the right day to be in Mumbai to watch Sachin.

He also would have wanted to convey the good news to Sachin but it is not known if he did. By evening Rahul would have known that Bharat Ratna was decided. Also before this day, no plan was made for conferring the award on Sachin, and there was no recommendation from any quarter, forcing the PMO to ask for a bio-data on which the notings were made.

What is the normal procedure for Bharat Ratna?In the case of Dhyan Chand, the sports ministry recommended the award through a letter signed by minister Jitendra singh on July 16, 2013 and the decision to confer the award on Dhyan Chand was taken about a month later on August 6, though it was not sent for presidential approval. In the case of CNR Rao, the recommendation was made by Kasturirangan scientific advisor to the PM on September 28, but the final letter to the president was sent along with that of Sachin only on November 15. This shows that the inexplicable hurry to give the Ratna to Sachin helped Rao's case as well, since his case was not sent for presidents signature.

Any proof that Rahul was involved?No direct evidence but all circumstantial evidence and the five hour decision clearly points to a Rahul intervention. Also Rahul's sudden unannounced visit to Wankhede. He had no reason to come in the middle of an election campaign. Crucial noting here is by Rajiv Topno, director, PMO: "As desired, a write-up and bio-data on Shri Sachin Tendulkar MP has been obtained from D/O sports."

Did the PMO violate any rule?No. Bharat Ratna has to be the PM's decision.

Courtesy: www.mumbaiwalla.com