The Union government's decision to announce the country’s highest civilian award—Bharat Ratna—to five personalities within a period of 15 days is a strong political message, ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The three personalities awarded on Friday were former prime ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh, and renowned agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Bharat Ratnas for Karpoori Thakur and L.K. Advani.
The Bharat Ratna to former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, a social justice icon, signalled BJP’s outreach to the backward communities, and the honour for the former deputy PM, Advani, recognised the 96-year-old’s contribution to the cause of Ram Temple. Ahead of the polls, it's an astute mixing of the 'Mandal-kamandal' politics. Within days of Karpoori Thakur being conferred with the Bharat Ratna, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar switched over to the NDA, ditching the INDIA bloc he had helped form. Thakur was the political guru of Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav, thus holding a significant value for the Hindi heartland state.
On the other hand, the Bharat Ratna for Congress's Rao, who is known as the architect of the economic reforms along with Manmohan Singh, is a message for the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. During the assembly elections in December, the BJP had managed to increase its vote share in Telangana, thus raising hopes of a better performance during the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP had accused the Congress of ignoring Rao. The award for Rao came on the day the ruling dispensation brought out a white paper on the economy accusing the UPA regime of mismanagement. A day earlier, PM Modi had heaped praise on Manmohan Singh who retired from the Rajya Sabha. The praise for Manmohan and Rao also separated the duo from the Gandhi-led Congress party.
The Bharat Ratna for Charan Singh, who held sway among the farmers and Jat community of western Uttar Pradesh, is part of BJP’s outreach to the community in politically significant Uttar Pradesh. Just as the Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur was seen as a precursor for Nitish Kumar’s return to the NDA fold, the award for Charan Singh is expected to bring Jayant Chaudhury-led RLD into the NDA fold. Jayant Chaudhury is the grandson of Charan Singh and son of former minister Ajit Singh.
The award for Swaminathan, who is known for his contribution to the Green Revolution, will send a favourable message to the farming communities, where he is widely respected, in the south, particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu—the states where the BJP is aiming to increase its presence.
The BJP is sure to use the awards as talking points in its poll campaigns ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.