The Narendra Modi government of awards the country’s top civilian honor to two former prime ministers and a legendary scientist. What impact will it have on the 2024 general elections?
Our Bureau
New Delhi/Hyderabad/Lucknow/Chennai
In a surprise announcement that shook the political circles on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. Along with them, MS Swaminathan also known as the father of the green revolution will also be awarded the country’s highest civilian award.
In a line-up post on X, PM Modi said that as a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao served India extensively in various capacities. “Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna. As a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao Garu served India extensively in various capacities. He is equally remembered for the work he did as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister, and as a Member of Parliament and Legislative Assembly for many years. His visionary leadership was instrumental in making India economically advanced, laying a solid foundation for the country’s prosperity and growth,” the PM said.
“Narasimha Rao Garu’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by significant measures that opened India to global markets, fostering a new era of economic development. Furthermore, his contributions to India’s foreign policy, language and education sectors underscore his multifaceted legacy as a leader who not only steered India through critical transformations but also enriched its cultural and intellectual heritage,” he added.
Taking to the social media platform, PM Modi said this honour is dedicated to the former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh’s incomparable contribution to the country. Swaminathan, a prominent figure in Indian agriculture famed for his leading role in India’s ‘Green Revolution’, will be conferred the honour posthumously, the Prime Minister said. On September 28, last year Swaminathan passed away at the age of 98 at his residence in Chennai.
As soon as the announcement was made on Friday, the ground began to move in the political landscape. After the announcement of Bharat Ratna to his grandfather and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, indicating an imminent alliance with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls.
Appreciating the Central Government for conferring Bharat Ratna to former PM Charan Singh, he said that this decision proves that PM Modi understands the sentiment and character of the nation. “What previous governments could not do until today has been completed by PM Modi’s vision. I would like to once again express my gratitude to PM Modi’s government for encouraging people who aren’t part of the mainstream. It is a big day and an emotional moment for me. I want to thank the President, government, and PM Modi because this was part of his vision. Three awards have been given. The sentiments of the people are connected with this decision,” he said.
When repeatedly questioned about joining hands with the BJP for the Lok Sabha Polls the RLD Chief said” “Koi kasar rehti hai? Aaj main kis muh se inkaar karoon aapke sawalon ko.” (Is there anything left? How can I deny this?)
However the RLD Chief kept some room open for further negotiation saying that speaking about seats on a day like this wasn’t the right thing. “Talking about seats or votes will make this day less important. When I am congratulating and PM Modi has given a decision that proves he understands the basic sentiments and character of the nation,” he said.
Earlier in the day Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav said he hasn’t spoken to Jayant Chaudhary since the award was announced for Chaudhary Charan Singh. “There have been no talks here. Whatever it is, is being published in newspapers, I am getting all the information through you” Akhilesh had said.
The announcement has repercussions down south too. After the announcement of Bharat Ratna to be conferred upon the former Prime Minister PV Narsimha Rao, Telangana Minister Sridhar Babu Duddilla expressed his delight and said he feels “proud” about it. Lauding Rao for the economic reforms done for the Indian economy Duddilla said that the former PM gave the Indian economy the right direction three decades ago.
The announcement also brought some embarrassment to the Congress party. Calling the announcement of Bharat Ratna to be conferred upon former PM PV Narasimha Rao “fantastic”, author and daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, Sharmistha Mukherjee on Friday said that former Prime Minister who ushered economic reforms in India was “never acknowledged by Gandhi-Nehru family.”
“This is fantastic news… The way PV Narasimha Rao was ignored and sidelined by his own party… He was the person who ushered economic reforms in India but this Gandhi-Nehru family never acknowledged it and didn’t even allow his mortal remains to enter the AICC after his death,” Mukherjee said on Friday.
She further said that the announcement taken by Narendra Modi’s government is “absolute magnanimity and graciousness”.
“I think it’s the absolute magnanimity and graciousness of Narendra Modi’s government to confer and recognize the greatness and contribution of the Prime minister who belongs to Congress,” she added.
The announcements on Friday also made some opposition party defensive. Following the announcement of the ‘Bharat Ratna’ to Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narsimha Rao and agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh said on Friday that the party had put forward the same demand several times. “I had put forward this demand several times. Now, congratulations on the fulfilment of the demand,” Yadav said.
By conferring the country’s top award to legendary figures just a few months before the general elections, Modi has opened a new front to break the unity of opposition parties. The Congress will find it hard to counter this move.
Leaders across political spectrum hail Bharat Ratna to Advani
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Lal Krishna Advani would be conferred with the country’s highest civilian award– the Bharat Ratna– political leaders from across party lines greeted him and expressed delight at it.
Prime Minister Modi last week announced that Advani would be conferred with the Bharat Ratna. Taking to ‘X’, PM Modi wrote, “I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our time, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our home minister and I&B minister as well. His parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights.”
LK Advani said that Bharat Ratna is not only an honour for him but for the ideals and principles he strove for in life to the best of his abilities. In a statement, Advani said he accepts the ‘Bharat Ratna’ with utmost humility.
LK Advani said he has been inspired by the motto ‘idam-na-mama” and expressed his gratitude to BJP workers, RSS swayamsevaks and those with whom he worked in his long journey in public life.
“With utmost humility and gratitude, I accept the ‘Bharat Ratna’ that has been conferred on me today. It is not only an honour for me as a person, but also for the ideals and principles that I strove to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability,” he said in the statement.
