NEW DELHI: Congress welcomed Bharat Ratna for its late former PM PV Narasimha Rao, crediting him with “tremendous” contributions in nation-building, amid a strong perception that the honour by BJP was an awkward moment for the party which had ended up with frosty ties to its one-time icon.
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Under Rao’s government, India embarked on a transformative journey with a series of economic reforms that played a pivotal role in shaping the middle class for generations to come…His vital role in the prosperity and development of our nation shall always be cherished.”
When asked for a reaction, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said, “I welcome it, why not?”
The tack to embarrass Congress by showing that it only honours members of the Gandhi family has been a running theme with PM Narendra Modi, who earlier gave the highest award to former President Pranab Mukherjee. This time, though, Congress came out in full strength to laud Rao as its own. P Chidambaram said he was heartened BJP was honouring three “secular and socialist leaders”. Jairam Ramesh said they were indeed “ratna” of “Bharat”.
Congress reacted to Bharat Ratna for farmer leader Charan Singh and agricultural scientist Swaminathan to repeat their allegation against BJP govt that 700 farmers died during protests against “three black laws” due to Modi’s stubbornness, and said the promise of MSP has not been fulfilled yet.
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Under Rao’s government, India embarked on a transformative journey with a series of economic reforms that played a pivotal role in shaping the middle class for generations to come…His vital role in the prosperity and development of our nation shall always be cherished.”
When asked for a reaction, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said, “I welcome it, why not?”
The tack to embarrass Congress by showing that it only honours members of the Gandhi family has been a running theme with PM Narendra Modi, who earlier gave the highest award to former President Pranab Mukherjee. This time, though, Congress came out in full strength to laud Rao as its own. P Chidambaram said he was heartened BJP was honouring three “secular and socialist leaders”. Jairam Ramesh said they were indeed “ratna” of “Bharat”.
Congress reacted to Bharat Ratna for farmer leader Charan Singh and agricultural scientist Swaminathan to repeat their allegation against BJP govt that 700 farmers died during protests against “three black laws” due to Modi’s stubbornness, and said the promise of MSP has not been fulfilled yet.
