New York (USA): Noted writer-filmmaker Gita Mehta who is also the sister of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has declined the Padma Shri award citing the timing of the awards, which comes just ahead of the general elections in India, might be misconstrued. Mehta, 76, was selected for the coveted honour in the category Literature and Education.

I am deeply honoured that the Government of India should think me worthy of a Padma Shri but with great regret I feel I must decline as there is a general election looming and the timing of the award might be misconstrued, causing embarrassment both to the Government and myself, which I would much regret,â¿ÂÂÂu00c2u009d Mehta said in a press note issued by her today.