New Delhi: The ruling Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar has zealously appreciated the Bharat Ratna conferred upon Bihar’s socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, saying it will ‘send a positive message among deprived sections of the society’.
The Centre has announced the highest civilian honour for the socialist icon posthumously on the eve of his 100th birth anniversary.
Immediately after the announcement came, both CM Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD reportedly rushed to claim the legacy of Karpoori Thakur, claiming the honour has fulfilled their demand, according to Mint.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who usually visits Thakur’s native village on his birth anniversary, however, was not happy about PM Modi having called up Thakur’s elder son without first talking to him, after the announcement.
‘I was told by Ramnath Thakur, my party colleague, and the late leader’s son, that the prime minister had called him up after the announcement. The PM has not called me so far. It is possible that he may claim full credit for the move. Be that as it may, I thank the PM and his government for fulfilling a demand I have been raising since I assumed power in Bihar,’ Kumar was quoted as saying.
Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav shared his previous speeches demanding Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur.
Taking to X, Yadav said: ‘We have been demanding Bharat Ratna for socialist icon Karpoori Thakur for the last several years. He fought for the cause of weaker and marginalised sections of society throughout his life. He was deeply concerned with the upliftment of the weaker sections. I thank the central government for announcing this award to the great socialist leader.’
Karpoori Thakur played a crucial role during the Quit India movement, and after independence he devoted his entire life for uplifting the backward classes.