PATNA: Bihar’s governing Grand Alliance appeared divided Tuesday over extending wishes as Modi government posthumously conferred India’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna to the state’s former CM Karpoori Thakur, fondly known as Jannayak.
While JD(U) thanked Prime Minister Modi, RJD and Bihar Congress alleged that the decision was politically motivated with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
CM Nitish Kumar of JD(U) took the lead, expressing happiness over the decision. “The highest civilian honour given to late Karpoori Thakur ji on his 100th birth anniversary will create positive sentiments among the Dalits, deprived and neglected sections,” Nitish said in a presser on Tuesday. He said he had long advocated for conferring Bharat Ratna on the socialist leader.
Social welfare minister and JD(U) leader Madan Sahani thanked PM Modi, expressing deep gratitude for the decision.
RJD welcomed the move, while suggesting it was driven by “political compulsions”. RJD’s chief spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said: “”Our leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had raised the demand…while our MP Manoj Kumar Jha raised the issue in Parliament. BJP was afraid due to our repeated demands and took this decision under political pressure.”
Congress too welcomed the decision, but highlighted its perception as a politically motivated move. Senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar said: “Karpoori-ji deserved that honour… but one thing that is clear is that the decision has been taken keeping in view the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.”
Congress MLA and AICC media panellist Prem Chandra Mishra accused BJP of playing politics in an election year and urged them to follow the ideals of Karpoori Thakur. Mishra described Thakur as a great leader who did a “tremendous job in the field of social justice”.
With political parties vying to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of late Thakur, who hailed from an extremely backward caste (EBC), BJP’s decision is expected to impact the political landscape. Parties are seeking to appeal to EBC voters following a recent Bihar caste survey revealing their population at 36% of the population.
While JD(U) thanked Prime Minister Modi, RJD and Bihar Congress alleged that the decision was politically motivated with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
CM Nitish Kumar of JD(U) took the lead, expressing happiness over the decision. “The highest civilian honour given to late Karpoori Thakur ji on his 100th birth anniversary will create positive sentiments among the Dalits, deprived and neglected sections,” Nitish said in a presser on Tuesday. He said he had long advocated for conferring Bharat Ratna on the socialist leader.
Social welfare minister and JD(U) leader Madan Sahani thanked PM Modi, expressing deep gratitude for the decision.
RJD welcomed the move, while suggesting it was driven by “political compulsions”. RJD’s chief spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said: “”Our leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had raised the demand…while our MP Manoj Kumar Jha raised the issue in Parliament. BJP was afraid due to our repeated demands and took this decision under political pressure.”
Congress too welcomed the decision, but highlighted its perception as a politically motivated move. Senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar said: “Karpoori-ji deserved that honour… but one thing that is clear is that the decision has been taken keeping in view the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.”
Congress MLA and AICC media panellist Prem Chandra Mishra accused BJP of playing politics in an election year and urged them to follow the ideals of Karpoori Thakur. Mishra described Thakur as a great leader who did a “tremendous job in the field of social justice”.
With political parties vying to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of late Thakur, who hailed from an extremely backward caste (EBC), BJP’s decision is expected to impact the political landscape. Parties are seeking to appeal to EBC voters following a recent Bihar caste survey revealing their population at 36% of the population.
