Patna: The demand to award the Bharat Ratna to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has once again sparked political discussion in the state, this time with a new and emotional twist. Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, has said that if Nitish Kumar is considered for the country’s highest civilian honour, then his father should also receive it. His statement has brought fresh attention to an issue that has been raised many times over the past two years.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Tej Pratap Yadav said that the Jan Shakti Janata Dal, where he serves as national president, believes Lalu Prasad Yadav deserves the Bharat Ratna. At the same time, he clearly supported the demand for Nitish Kumar as well. Tej Pratap said that his father and Nitish Kumar have shared a long political journey and a personal bond similar to that of brothers. “Both have worked for Bihar for decades. If one brother gets the honour, the other should get it too,” he said.
The call to honour Nitish Kumar is not new and has been supported by leaders from different parties. Union minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha patron Jitan Ram Manjhi has said that Nitish Kumar deserves the Bharat Ratna for his work in Bihar. Senior leaders of the Janata Dal (United), including a Rajya Sabha MP and the party’s national executive president, have also made similar demands. Union minister Chirag Paswan had earlier praised Nitish Kumar’s efforts to push Bihar towards development, calling them unmatched.
However, the issue has also created discomfort within the JDU. After senior leader KC Tyagi recently raised the demand again, the party officially distanced itself from his statement, suggesting it does not want the issue to turn into a political controversy. Leaders like Chirag Paswan have also demanded the Bharat Ratna for their own family members, including his late father Ram Vilas Paswan, showing how the debate is closely linked to political legacy.
With leaders across parties raising names and counter-names, the Bharat Ratna discussion has once again become a major talking point in Bihar politics. While no official decision has been announced, the renewed debate shows how deeply recognition, respect and political history remain connected in the state’s public life.
