Nitish for Bharat Ratna to Lohia, Karpoori & Atal

PATNA: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, on Monday, said not only former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee but also great socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia and former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur should be conferred the highest civilian award.

Asked to comment on BJP's demand for Bharat Ratna to Vajpayee, Nitish, who served as a minister under him, said, "What's the problem if they are demanding. We have been demanding this award for Karpoori Thakur since long."

The CM said Lohia should have been conferred this award long back. They also deserve this award and played prominent role in social service, he added. Thakur had been chief minister of Bihar thrice and died in February 1988. Nitish regards Lohia and Thakur as his ideological and political gurus.

Distancing himself from the controversial statement of his party senior leader Shivanand Tiwari on Bharat Ratna to Sachin Tendulkar, Nitish welcomed the government decision. "This is a welcome move and Sachin is a great player who created a niche for himself in cricket," he said. Nitish had welcomed the award to Sachin on Saturday itself.

However, he said, it was Tiwari's opinion and in a democratic set-up, everybody has the right to air his views. Tiwari, in New Delhi, said the government should have conferred Bharat Ratna on hockey wizard Dhyan Chand instead on Sachin who has made crores of rupees by helping corporate houses in marketing cricket in the country.

Asked to comment on scientist CNR Rao describing the politicians 'idiots', Nitish said he was not aware in what context he said that. "Rao's works in science are remarkable. Whatever he has said could be a style of his speech and it should not be taken otherwise," he said.

The CM supported Rao remarks over getting less funds for research in scientific sector. He said Rao was right in pointing out this issue and it was a fact that the country was spending very little on research. There is a need for more budget for research work even if there is no good result, Nitish said.

TOI, Patna

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