Congress bribed CECs with Padma awards, Cabinet posts: Piyush Goyal amid Congress' protest. Amid Congress' protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Union Minister Piyush Goyal alleged that Congress bribed ex-Chief Election Commissioners with Padma awards, Cabinet and Governor posts. Ex-CEC TN Seshan contested elections in 1999 on Congress ticket, while ex-CEC MS Gill was awarded the Padma Vibhushan during his tenure, Goyal claimed. "Was it not, in effect, a form of bribery?" he asked.