RLD MP Jayant Chaudhary slams Opposition for questioning 'timing' of Bharat Ratna

New Delhi: Lashing out at the opposition for questioning the timing of the announcement of Bharat Ratna ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Chief Jayant Chaudhary said if the ruling government wants to honour someone, "what is wrong?"

Lashing out at the opposition for questioning the 'timing' for announcing the award, he said, "Are they (the opposition) claiming that the government should not be awarding Bharat Ratna to anyone during the election year?"

"On what basis did the ruling government or political parties take the decisions with regards to Bharat Ratna?" It is where a political party will get the maximum political mileage and issues on which the emotions of the public are connected," he asked.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that former PMs Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, and, along with them, MS Swaminathan, also known as the father of the green revolution, will also be awarded the country's highest civilian award.

Hailing the government for announcing the award, RLD Chief further said, "If someone understands the public impulse... Those who have not been conferred with Bharat Ratna... Previous governments did not award Bharat Ratna to them. If the government wants to honour them, what is the deal, and what is wrong?"

(ANI)