Patna: The clamour for Bharat Ratna for former Premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee grew louder today with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a former BJP ally, as well as Union Minister Faroq Abdullah backing the saffron party's demand.
Two days after cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and noted scientist CNR Rao were named for the country's highest civilian honour, there were also demands that hockey wizard Dhyan Chand, socialist icon Rammanohar Lohia and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur be given the coveted award.
Expressing government's view on the pitch for naming Vajpayee, Union I and B Minister Manish Tewari said there is a need to think with “seriousness” on Bharat Ratna when questions like his approach towards Narendra Modi government after the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat were still “hanging in the air.”
Leaving aside acrimony with his former NDA ally, Nitish said, “He(Vajpayee) deserves it. Why should not it be given to him?”.
Nitish, who served as Railway Minister in the Vajpayee cabinet, said this when asked if he supported Bharat Ratna for the BJP stalwart.
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