Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday alleged that the BJP government is giving Bharat Ratna awards for "political benefits," news agency ANI reported. Speaking with media, Raut stated: "Bharat Ratna is given after seeing the political benefits of it. The law is that in a year only three people can be awarded with Bharat Ratna...Five people are being given. All this is being done for political benefits."
Raut further claimed that Chaudhary Charan Singh has been honoured with Bharat Ratna because BJP wanted his grandson Jayant Chaudhary to join the party ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
"Chaudhary Charan Singh is being awarded Bharat Ratna because they want Jayant Chaudhary to join their party," he stated.
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Rashtriya Lok Dal president Jayant Chaudhary applauded the Centre's decision to bestow the Bharat Ratna on former Prime Minister and grandfather Charan Singh. RLD, which is presently a member of the opposition, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on Saturday.
“I am indebted. Only a government which is rooted to ground realities understands the voices from the ground and strengthens them, can honour 'Dhartiputra' Charan Singh with Bharat Ratna," Chaudhary said in Rajya Sabha.
Pointing out that RLD is likely to join the NDA soon, Chaudhary stated: “After it was announced that Bharat Ratna will be given (to Chaudhary Charan Singh), my emotions were attached. What will be our next steps and how we will be contesting the elections- these questions will be answered at that time," ANI reported.