Patna: In a surprising political twist amid ongoing buzz over Bharat Ratna nominations, Tej Pratap Yadav, chief of the Janshakti Janta Dal and the elder son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, has demanded India’s highest civilian honour for both his father and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Speaking to the media in Patna on Saturday, Tej Pratap asserted that if there are calls for Nitish Kumar to receive the prestigious award, then Lalu Prasad Yadav deserves it equally. “Lalu Prasad Yadav should also be awarded the Bharat Ratna. If people are saying that Nitish Kumar should receive it, then give it to him too, because it is said that my father and Nitish Kumar were like brothers,” he stated, describing it as the official demand of his party.
The remarks come in the wake of JD(U) leader KC Tyagi’s recent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar, whom he praised as a living gem of the socialist movement and a key architect of Bihar’s development.
Notably, JD(U) distanced itself from Tyagi’s personal appeal, clarifying it does not reflect the party’s official stance.
Tej Pratap’s call has sparked cross-party reactions: Union Minister Chirag Paswan backed the idea for Nitish Kumar, highlighting his exemplary governance over two decades, while HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi echoed support on social media, predicting a surprise from the Prime Minister.
This development adds an intriguing layer to Bihar’s ever-dynamic political landscape, where once-rivals Lalu and Nitish have shared alliances and rivalries over decades. Whether the “brothers” tag translates to shared honours remains to be seen, but the demand has certainly reignited debates on legacy and recognition.