Hailing the Narendra Modi government’s decision to award Bharat Ratna to his late mentor and socialist leader Karpoori Thakur, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said it was a "fulfilment of an age-old demand" by his party.
The award will send a positive message among deprived sections of the society, said the JD(U) leader.
"I have always raised the demand for Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur. The announcement that comes on the eve of his 100th birth anniversary brings me great delight," Kumar said in a statement.
Later, in a post on X, Kumar termed it as a good decision of the central government.
"It is a matter of great pleasure to give the country's highest honor 'Bharat Ratna' to former Chief Minister and great socialist leader Late Karpoori Thakur ji. This is a good decision of the Central Government. This highest honour given to Late Karpoori Thakur Ji on his 100th birth anniversary will create positive sentiments among all sections. We have always been demanding to give 'Bharat Ratna' to the Late Karpoori Thakur ji. The years-old demand has been fulfilled today," he said.
Thakur, a former chief minister of Bihar and a socialist leader, will be awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously.