'Bharat Ke Ratna': Congress On Centre's Decision To Honour Charan Singh, Narasimha Rao, MS Swaminathan

Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi 'welcomed' the decision to award Bharat Ratna to PV Narasimha Rao, stating, "I welcome them... why not?"

File Photos: PV Narasimha Rao (L), Chaudhary Charan Singh (C) & M S Swaminathan (R)

Source : PTI Images

The Congress party said on Friday that former Prime Ministers P V Narasimha Rao and Charan Singh, as well as Green Revolution pioneer M S Swaminathan, have been, are, and will always remain 'Bharat ke Ratna'. The party also highlighted their unparalleled contributions, respected across India.

Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi 'welcomed' the decision to award Bharat Ratna to PV Narasimha Rao, stating, "I welcome them... why not?"

#WATCH | Delhi: Chaudhary Charan Singh, PV Narasimha Rao Garu and M S Swaminathan conferred with the Bharat Ratna.

Congress Parliamentary Party president Sonia Gandhi says, "I welcome it." pic.twitter.com/Sk61F8IZAY

— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision to honour former Prime Ministers P V Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, alongside agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, with the Bharat Ratna.

Nevertheless, the opposition party criticised the Modi government for its silence on granting legal status to the minimum support price (MSP) for farmers, as per the Swaminathan formula.

Congress's response followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement regarding Rao, Singh, and Swaminathan's Bharat Ratna nominations.

‘Modi Govt Silent On Legal Status Of MSP’: Congress On Bharat Ratna To MS Swaminathan

In a post on social media platform X, Congress General Secretary for communications, Jairam Ramesh, reiterated, "Shri PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and Dr. MS Swaminathan were, are, and will always be the 'Bharat ke Ratna'. Their contribution was unprecedented, acknowledged by every Indian." Ramesh criticised the Modi government's silence on legalizing MSP based on Dr. Swaminathan's formula and highlighted the sacrifices of farmers during recent protests.

"The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra aims to deliver justice to farmers. Our demand for 'Kisan Nyay (justice to farmers)' is to legally guarantee the minimum support price based on the Swaminathan formula. This would be a true homage to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh and Swaminathan," Ramesh said.

श्री पीवी नरसिम्हा राव, चौधरी चरण सिंह और डॉ एमएस स्वामीनाथन जी भारत के रत्न थे, हैं और सदैव रहेंगे। उनका योगदान अभूतपूर्व था, जिसका हर भारतीय सम्मान करता है।

डॉ स्वामीनाथन फ़ॉर्मूले के आधार पर किसानों को न्यूनतम समर्थन मूल्य का क़ानूनी दर्जा दिए जाने पर मोदी सरकार चुप है।… pic.twitter.com/drDz4U0KaT

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 9, 2024

The government had earlier announced former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur and BJP stalwart L K Advani as recipients of the Bharat Ratna, acknowledging their significant contributions to society.

With five honorees, one more than the four announced in 1999, this year marks the highest number of Bharat Ratnas conferred in a single year.