Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has supported the demand of JD(U) leader KC Tyagi to confer India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will surprise everyone with his decision.
On Saturday, Manjhi posted a statement on social media platform ‘X’, calling Nitish Kumar deserving of the Bharat Ratna.
He wrote, “Bharat Ratna Nitish Kumar ji … how good would it sound to hear these words! We have full confidence that the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who never fails to surprise us with his decisions, will once again surprise everyone by deciding to confer the Bharat Ratna on Bihar’s Honourable Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ji. Bharat Ratna Nitish Kumar…”
KC Tyagi, a senior leader of JD(U) and former Member of Parliament, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, demanding that Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be awarded the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna.
In the letter, Tyagi recalled the historic day of 30 March, 2024, when the central government awarded Bharat Ratna to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur.
In his letter, KC Tyagi wrote that just as Chaudhary Charan Singh and Karpoori Thakur made significant efforts for farmers, the oppressed, and marginalised people, Nitish Kumar is continuing those ideals. He referred to Nitish Kumar as “the remaining precious gem of the socialist movement” and stated that he is fully deserving of the Bharat Ratna.
However, JD(U) distanced itself from his statement and called it his personal opinion. JD(U)’s national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan sharply stated that KC Tyagi’s statement was his personal opinion and had nothing to do with the party. He even went as far as to say that the party leaders and workers are unaware whether KC Tyagi is still with JD(U) or not.
This development has stirred political activity in Bihar.
In the letter demanding the Bharat Ratna, KC Tyagi referred to himself as a political advisor to the JD(U), while Rajeev Ranjan has stated that party leaders and workers were unaware of whether Tyagi was still associated with the JD(U). This has created confusion within the party, especially since Tyagi’s expulsion or resignation from the JD(U) was never made public.
Also, despite JD(U) distancing itself from the demand, the support coming from coalition partners has added a political angle to the issue. Now, it remains to be seen how this controversy unfolds in the coming days.