“Bharat Ratna Honors for Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and MS Swaminathan: Modi Commends Transformative Leadership and Contributions.”

New Delhi: In a significant announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, along with renowned agricultural scientist Dr. MS Swaminathan, will be posthumously conferred with Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.

PM Modi expressed his delight in sharing the news on X platform, praising PV Narasimha Rao’s transformative leadership during his tenure. Modi highlighted Rao’s role in opening India to global markets, fostering economic development, and making substantial contributions to foreign policy, language, and education sectors. PV Narasimha Rao’s decision to appoint Manmohan Singh as the Finance Minister, leading to crucial economic reforms, was also acknowledged.

Dr. MS Swaminathan, a distinguished agricultural scientist, will also receive Bharat Ratna for his visionary leadership in transforming Indian agriculture and ensuring food security. PM Modi recognized Swaminathan’s invaluable work as an innovator, mentor, and his dedication to learning and research.

Additionally, former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, known for his dedication to nation-building and staunch opposition to the Emergency, will be honored with Bharat Ratna. PM Modi commended Singh’s commitment to democracy during challenging times and acknowledged his role as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Home Minister of the country, and MLA. Welcoming the announcement, Jayant Chaudhry, grandson of Chaudhary Charan Singh and leader of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, expressed gratitude to X, stating, “You have won our hearts.”

The Bharat Ratna for Chaudhary Charan Singh comes amid reports of a seat-sharing deal between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), founded by Singh’s son and now led by his grandson, Jayant Chaudhary. The BJP is speculated to offer two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat to the RLD in exchange for its support, with the RLD making the Bharat Ratna for Chaudhary Charan Singh can be a part of the negotiation .

Jayant Chaudhary’s party is likely to secure the Baghpat and Bijnor seats, and there are discussions about ministerial berths for the RLD. The BJP reportedly offered two berths in Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet, but the RLD also expressed interest in a seat in Prime Minister Modi’s cabinet at the center.

Earlier this month, PM Modi had announced Bharat Ratna for BJP stalwart and former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani. Modi praised Advani’s monumental contribution to India’s development, his commitment to transparency and integrity, and efforts in furthering national unity and cultural resurgence. The conferring of Bharat Ratna upon these leaders marks a significant recognition of their diverse contributions to the nation, shaping India’s political, economic, and agricultural landscape.