The Telangana Assembly recently passed a resolution calling on the Centre to grant the Bharat Ratna to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Since then, there has been growing backing within the Congress party for this recognition.
Congress Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari told The Indian Express that he supported the resolution of the Telangana government. “I urge the Centre to accept the resolution. Manmohanji was a great leader of our country and he should be awarded the Bharat Ratna,” he said.
Congress national spokesperson Subharansh Kumar Rai said the Telangana Assembly has demanded the Bharat Ratna for a person who championed causes like the Right to Education, Right to Information, MNREGA and others. “It is only fitting that the country’s highest honour is bestowed upon him,” he said.
Along with the resolution, the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the opposition BJP came together for a day-long special session of the Telangana Assembly. During this session, both parties agreed to erect a statue of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a prominent location in Hyderabad to honour him.
The resolution follows accusations from the BJP, which claimed that Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi did not respond to a 2013 recommendation by former President Pranab Mukherjee to confer the Bharat Ratna on Manmohan Singh.
The BJP questioned the Revanth Reddy-led Telangana government’s move, with party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla Telling The Indian Express, “Instead of passing resolutions in the Assembly, Reddy should ask Sonia Gandhi, as disclosed by Sharmishtha Mukherjeeji, why was a similar proposal floated by Pranab and sent to (Singh’s principal secretary) Pulok Chatterjee not taken forward in a proper manner? Why was the Bharat Ratna not conferred upon the first Sikh PM of India? It only shows that the (Gandhi) family is insecure of any non-Nehru-Gandhi PM.”
Another BJP leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, alleged that Congress was showing “commitment to Dr. Singh with an eye on Sikh votes.” The leader further stated that the move would have no political impact, as the Centre had already agreed to establish a memorial for Singh.
Singh passed away last week at the age of 92 and was cremated with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries from both India and abroad.
Rai dismissed the allegation regarding the denial of the Bharat Ratna to Singh in 2013, calling it “absolute lies.” He challenged the BJP to make public any documentary proof to support their claim.
Regarding the Telangana resolution, some senior Congress leaders stated that passing such resolutions is the prerogative of state legislatures, but no communication had been issued by the party’s central leadership. “If some states are taking this initiative, we welcome it, but we have not directed them to do so,” a senior Congress leader remarked.
The war of words between Congress and BJP persisted on Tuesday, with the ruling party criticizing Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for “flying abroad to celebrate the new year” during the seven-day mourning period after Singh’s death.
Congress Whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, rejected the BJP’s allegations, describing them as “diversionary politics.” He added, “It’s disgraceful how Modi denied Dr. Saheb space for cremation on the banks of the Yamuna and how his ministers treated his family. If Gandhi travels privately, why does it matter to you?” On Tuesday, Tiwari defended Gandhi, stating that his visit was pre-planned and emphasized that “millions of people saw tears in his eyes” after Singh’s passing.