Opposition leaders on Wednesday transcended political barriers to hail the Centre’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna, country’s highest civilian honour, on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malaviya.
Former Bihar Chief Minister and senior JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, who had supported Bharat Ratna for Atal Bihari Vajpayee despite his acrimonious relation with BJP, brought a resolution in Bihar legislative Council on Wednesday to greet Vajpayee for the honour being bestowed on him along with Malaviya.
Speaking after introducing the resolution, Kumar, who served as Minister in the NDA Government led by Vajpayee, said the veteran leader should have been accorded this honour by the UPA Government.
Praising Vajpayee, Kumar said in his long innings in the Parliamentary democracy, he had led the country during Kargil war and is credited with successful experiment in coalition Government.
Congress General Secretary and in-charge of media communication Ajay Maken said, “To a certain extent, both represent the Indian thought which is secular and tolerant. We hope that this present Government will walk in the path shown by these leaders.
However, he went on to rake up how Vajpayee had talked about ‘Raj Dharam’, saying he hopes that the Modi Government will keep that in mind and follow it.” Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also hailed the decision saying, “Vajpayee is a towering personality. He deserves to get Bharat Ratna. I feel Vajpayee should have been given this honour much earlier.”
JD(U) president Sharad Yadav supported the decision saying, “I am very pleased with this announcement. Malaviya had a great role in Indian independence and he established a great institution like Banaras Hindu University. I have been associated with Atalji for many years and even being in BJP he respected the composite culture of India.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the Centre’s decision to confer ‘Bharat Ratna’ on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
“She has worked with him. He has even been to her home to meet her and spent time with Mamata at her Kalighat residence and with her mother. They go back a long way. This is very welcome and its wonderful news that he has got Bharat Ratna,” Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien said.
Hailing the decision, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said, “Vajpayee deserved country’s highest honour not only for his contribution in India’s political arena but for his historic peace and reconciliation initiatives in and around Jammu & Kashmir.”
“The political sagacity, maturity and vision of Vajpayee and extension of friendship to Pakistan in the aftermath of the Parliament attack and the ceasefire announced by him are some of the historic confidence building measures which dawned a new era of peace and tranquility in the State and the region,” he said.