Launching a fresh attack during floor test in Bihar Assembly, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made the Bharat Ratna award a deal in order to win the support of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.The RLD is a regional party based in Uttar Pradesh, and its leader, Jayant Chaudhary, is the grandson of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. On February 10, 2024, the BJP government announced that it would be posthumously awarding the Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh.Yadav has alleged that the timing of the award was no coincidence, and that it was part of a deal between the BJP and the RLD. He claimed that the BJP had promised the RLD two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat in return for its support in the upcoming elections.#WATCH | Bihar Floor Test: Former Bihar Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, I am happy that Karpoori Thakur got (Bharat Ratna)...They (BJP) have made Bharat Ratna a deal. Deal with us and we will give you Bharat Ratna... pic.twitter.com/B4YKGqQkeW— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2024However, the BJP has denied these allegations, and has said that the Bharat Ratna was awarded to Chaudhary Charan Singh on the basis of his incomparable contribution to the country.The controversy over the Bharat Ratna award has sparked a debate about the politicization of the award. Some have argued that the award should be given to individuals based on their merit, and not on their political affiliation. Others have argued that the award is a political tool that can be used to reward allies and punish opponents.While speaking, Yadav also congratulated Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for scripting history by taking oath for the ninth consecutive time. Nitish resigned as chief minister on January 28, his second volte face in less than 18 months.
