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Chirag Paswan Backs Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar, Tej Pratap Demands for Lalu

Union Minister Chirag Paswan has endorsed the demand for conferring the Bharat Ratna on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, praising his two decades of "exemplary governance." The demand was initially made by JD(U) leader KC Tyagi, who cited Nitish Kumar's role as an NDA founder. In response, Tej Pratap Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, demanded the same award for his father, arguing that both leaders were historically close. The political debate highlights the legacies of key socialist figures in Bihar.

Key Points: Bharat Ratna Demand for Nitish Kumar Sparks Political Debate

  • Paswan backs award for Nitish's governance
  • Tyagi made initial demand for Bihar CM
  • Tej Pratap counters with demand for Lalu Prasad
  • Debate centers on socialist leaders' legacies
2 min read

"Worthy of Bharat Ratna": Chirag Paswan backs KC Tyagi's demand for highest civilian award to Nitish Kumar

Chirag Paswan supports KC Tyagi's call for Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar, while Tej Pratap Yadav demands the award for his father Lalu Prasad Yadav.

"Worthy of Bharat Ratna": Chirag Paswan backs KC Tyagi's demand for highest civilian award to Nitish Kumar
"I believe he is worthy of a Bharat Ratna. - Chirag Paswan"

Patna, January 10

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan on Saturday backed the Janata Dal's demand for conferring the Bharat Ratna on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, asserting that he is a leader who has provided "exemplary governance" to the state over the past two decades.

Speaking to reporters in Patna, Paswan said that Nitish Kumar's contribution to Bihar's development and governance made him deserving of the country's highest civilian award.

"Over the last two decades, CM Nitish Kumar has given exemplary leadership to Bihar. He has done many commendable works. The basis for deciding whether Bharat Ratna can be conferred upon an individual involves several steps. I believe he is worthy of a Bharat Ratna," Paswan said.

Following Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi's demand for the Bharat Ratna for Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav also demanded the Bharat Ratna award to be conferred to his father, former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, too.

The JJD chief asserted that if Bharat Ratna is to be awarded to Nitish Kumar, it should also be awarded to Lalu Prasad Yadav, as it is said that "his father and Nitish Kumar were like brothers".

Addressing the media in Patna, Tej Pratap Yadav said, "Lalu Prasad Yadav should also be awarded the Bharat Ratna. If people are saying that Nitish Kumar should receive it, then give it to him too, because it is said that my father and Nitish Kumar were like brothers. This is Janshakti Janta Dal's demand."

Earlier on Friday, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi called for the Bharat Ratna to be awarded to Nitish Kumar. He said that the Bihar CM is among the founding members of the National Democratic Alliance and PM Narendra Modi had conferred Bharat Ratna on late Chaudhary Charan Singh and late Karpoori Thakur. We extend our gratitude.

"PM Narendra Modi had conferred Bharat Ratna on late Chaudhary Charan Singh and late Karpoori Thakur. We extend our gratitude. Nitish Kumar is one of the most fantastic leaders associated with the socialist movement who is still alive. He is one of the founders of NDA. He is 'sushasan babu'. We have urged that he too should be awarded the Bharat Ratna while he is still alive," Tyagi told ANI.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This feels like pure political bargaining. One party demands it for Nitish, so another immediately demands it for Lalu. The Bharat Ratna shouldn't be reduced to a tool for political one-upmanship. It should be above such tactics.
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Arjun K
As a Bihari, I have mixed feelings. Yes, development happened under Nitish-ji, especially for women's safety and infrastructure. But the constant switching of alliances creates instability. Bharat Ratna is the highest honour. The criteria should be unwavering service to the nation, not just a state.
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Priyanka N
Tej Pratap's demand for Lalu Yadav shows how this has become a joke. They were "like brothers" in politics once, now they are rivals. Using that as a reason for Bharat Ratna? Seriously? This dilutes the value of the award.
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Karthik V
Sushasan Babu has a strong case. He brought Bihar back from being a synonym for chaos. The award is for the lifetime contribution. His work on prohibition, bicycle schemes for girls, and overall governance is noteworthy. He should get it.
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Michael C
Interesting to see this debate. From an outside perspective, it seems the award is being discussed very publicly by political allies, which is unusual. Usually, these decisions are made more discreetly by the government based on merit.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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