New Delhi: Former Prime Ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh along with agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan have been awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday (February 9). “Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri 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 prime minister said in a post on X. The award was also recently conferred upon 96-year-old BJP veteran L.K. Advani. Socialist politician and two-time Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur was also posthumously recognised.The news of India’s highest civilian honour going to Chaudhary Charan Singh has come amid reports of a seat-sharing deal between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) – founded by his son and now led by his grandson, Jayant Chaudhary.RLD president Jayant Chaudhary reacted to the announcement on social media and said, “Dil jeet liya (hearts have been won).”When asked if he was sealing a deal with NDA on BJP’s terms, Jayant did not deny joining hands with them. “Talking about seats or votes will make this day less important. Such things don’t happen everyday,” he said.On being asked if he was now closer to the BJP, he gave another evasive reply, saying, “When I am congratulating [Modi] and PM Modi has taken a decision which proves he understands the basic sentiments and character of the nation. Modiji has today won the heart of every follower of Chaudhary Charan Singh.”Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav – who confirmed an alliance with RLD last month – welcomed the award for Charan Singh but also took a swipe at the BJP, remarking that it is only right for someone who spent his life helping poor farmers get the Bharat Ratna”, NDTV reported.“I want to congratulate all farmers. Chaudhary Charan Singhji fought for farmers all his life… We are happy a farmer leader got Bharat Ratna,” he said in the UP Assembly.The statement comes as the BJP faces yet another wave of farmer protests. On Thursday, farmers from UP’s Noida and Greater Noida were not allowed to cross Delhi’s border to agitate for better land prices.
