Patna | Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

A day after senior Janata Dal (United) leader and former MP KC Tyagi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the Bharat Ratna for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the party on Friday distanced itself from the statement, clarifying that it does not endorse the demand.


In his letter to the Prime Minister, Tyagi sought the country’s highest civilian award for Nitish Kumar, citing his contribution to public welfare and farmers’ causes. He argued that there have been precedents of conferring the Bharat Ratna on living political leaders and described the JD(U) chief as one of India’s “last socialist icons”.


Tyagi also referred to former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur and former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, who were honoured with the Bharat Ratna for their work in the field of social justice and farmers’ empowerment.


Party clarifies its stand
However, the JD(U) formally disowned the letter. Party national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said Tyagi’s remarks were made in his personal capacity and did not reflect the party’s official position.
“The party distances itself from his statement. Of late, KC Tyagi has made several remarks in his personal capacity. The JD(U) has not authorised or endorsed this view,” Prasad said, adding that Tyagi is no longer actively associated with party affairs.


Tyagi sticks to his view
KC Tyagi, meanwhile, told The Indian Express that the opinion expressed in the letter was his own, but maintained that he stood by his assessment.
“I would reiterate that Nitish Kumar deserves the highest civilian honour,” Tyagi said.
The episode highlights the JD(U)’s attempt to draw a clear line between individual opinions and the party’s official stance, even as the demand has triggered political discussion in Bihar and beyond.