RJD chief Lalu Prasad expressed his opinion on the Modi government’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna on former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. He stated that the timing of this decision was purely political and linked it to the state government’s recent decision to increase the quota in government jobs from 55% to 65%.
Speaking at the Karpoori Thakur centenary celebrations, Lalu Prasad mentioned, “Why haven’t you (BJP) taken a decision on giving Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur before? Why are they remembering Karpoori Thakur now? Since Tejashwi and Nitish conducted the caste survey and hiked quota in state government jobs, the BJP has taken the decision in the election year.”
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav supported his father’s views and stated that the BJP’s decision to confer the highest civilian honour on Karpoori Thakur was purely influenced by electoral constraints following the quota hike by the Mahagathbandhan government.
Lalu also shared his close association with Karpoori Thakur and how Thakur’s ideals shaped his politics. He also recalled how Karpoori Thakur died “in his lap” while being taken to a Patna hospital.
Tejashwi added, “It was only after sustained demand from my father Lalu Prasad, CM Nitish Kumar and me that the Centre was forced to confer Bharat Ratna on Karpoori Thakur. We welcome it but the move is borne out of electoral constraints of the BJP. They were perhaps intimidated by our decision to hike the quota.”