Narasimha Rao was the primary particular person from south India to turn into prime minister.
New Delhi:
The Congress, which is accused by the BJP of disrespecting its personal chief PV Narasimha Rao, has welcomed the announcement that the federal government will confer the Bharat Ratna on the previous prime minister – however not with out taking a dig on the ruling social gathering.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge praised Rao’s contribution to nation-building and India’s nuclear programme, and in addition identified that the financial reforms have been carried out underneath his authorities in 1991. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and senior social gathering chief P Chidambaram additionally expressed happiness on the announcement of the Bharat Ratna to Mr Rao, former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh and Dr MS Swaminathan, father of India’s inexperienced revolution.
In a submit on X on Friday, Mr Kharge mentioned, “Former Prime Minister and Former Congress President, Shri P V Narasimha Rao has tremendously contributed to nation constructing. Below his authorities, India launched into a transformative journey with a collection of financial reforms that performed a pivotal function in shaping the center class for generations to come back.”
On the behalf of Indian Nationwide Congress, we welcome the Bharat Ratna being conferred to Shri P V Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh and Dr M S Swaminathan.
1. Former Prime Minister and Former Congress President, Shri P V Narasimha Rao has tremendously contributed to nation…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 9, 2024
Stating that Mr Rao made important contributions to India’s Nuclear programme and his tenure was marked by various international coverage achievements, together with the ‘Look East’ coverage, the Congress chief added, “His important function within the prosperity and improvement of our nation shall all the time be cherished”.
Calling Chaudhary Charan Singh “a son of the soil”, Mr Kharge mentioned he had helped strengthen rural India. He additionally praised Dr Swaminathan as “an establishment builder par excellence”.
“Congress social gathering applauds their imaginative and prescient, their hardwork and the distinctive legacies of those nationwide icons, which the nation has all the time celebrated,” the Congress president posted.
Based on a report by information company PTI, when she was requested in regards to the Bharat Ratna bulletins, particularly for Rao, Sonia Gandhi mentioned, “I welcome them… why not.”
Whereas former Union minister P Chidambaram welcomed the announcement, he additionally took a dig on the BJP, stating that “it’s discovering” the contribution of the three males.
“Completely satisfied that secular, socialist leaders have been awarded Bharat Ratna. It’s gratifying that the BJP is discovering the contribution of the three eminent males,” Mr Chidambaram posted on X.
Completely satisfied that secular, socialist leaders have been awarded Bharat Ratna
It’s gratifying that the BJP is discovering the contribution of the three eminent males
It’s of no consequence to me that the popularity has come on the eve of common elections.
Homage to the reminiscence of the…
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 9, 2024
“It’s of no consequence to me that the popularity has come on the eve of common elections. Homage to the reminiscence of the three Bharat Ratna Awardees,” the submit mentioned.
Unpacking The Politics
The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have usually accused the Congress of “disrespecting” Narasimha Rao, and the PM has additionally accused the social gathering of “ignoring” the chief to serve its goal of glorifying one household.
Mr Chidambaram’s reference to the eve of the overall elections is seen as an allusion to feedback by some that the BJP is hoping to reap political advantages from awarding the Bharat Ratna to Rao, who was the primary particular person from south India to turn into prime minister. Rao was from undivided Andhra Pradesh and the southern area is the one a part of the nation the place the BJP is seen as being on the again foot forward of the Lok Sabha elections.
