JD(U) Leader Calls for Nitish Kumar to Receive Bharat Ratna

JD(U) Leaders Discuss Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar

Following a call from JD(U) leader KC Tyagi for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, party member Rajiv Ranjan Prasad clarified on Saturday that this statement is not connected to the party's official activities. Emphasizing Kumar's good health, Ranjan stated that Tyagi's remarks are personal and do not reflect the party's stance. He mentioned to a news outlet that Nitish Kumar is in good health and continues to serve the people of Bihar diligently. Ranjan reiterated that Tyagi's comments are entirely personal and unrelated to the party's operations.

On Friday, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi advocated for the Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar, highlighting that the Chief Minister is one of the founding members of the National Democratic Alliance. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously honored late leaders Chaudhary Charan Singh and Karpuri Thakur with the Bharat Ratna, expressing gratitude for those recognitions. Tyagi remarked that Nitish Kumar is among the most distinguished leaders of the socialist movement still alive today and is a founding figure of the NDA, often referred to as 'Sushasan Babu.' He urged that Kumar should also receive the Bharat Ratna while he is still living.

Earlier in February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao would be awarded the Bharat Ratna. Additionally, MS Swaminathan, known as the father of the Green Revolution, will also receive the nation's highest civilian honor. In January 2024, the central government recognized the lifelong contributions of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpuri Thakur to social justice and marginalized communities by awarding him the Bharat Ratna.