HYDERABAD: Chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao on wednesday welcomed the Centre’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and educationist Madan Mohan Malaviya.
He said it was heartrending to know that both awardees have increased the respect for India globally and stood out as a source of inspiration for future generations.
‘’On behalf of people of Telangana, I welcome the decision of the Centre for having bestowed the greatest honour on highly respected people of this country,” an official statement from the chief minister’s office read.
However, he lamented for not announcing the same to former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao proposed by the state government. “Late PV Narasimha Rao will also fulfill all the criteria for receiving Bharat Ratna,” he said hoping the Centre would concede to the state government’s demand soon.
Meanwhile, Union minister for employment and training Bandaru Dattatreya hailed Vajpayee as a leader who constantly espoused the cause of good governance and acting as ‘bridge’ between warring India and Pakistan during his tenure as PM.
“He is a gentle person without his support I would not have reached to this stage. A case in point: when both us of were returning from Rajahmundry after a meeting he bought me food when he had come to know that I was travelling hungry. He cared for everyone,” he recalled.
Soon after the announcement of Bharat Ratna to Vajpayee, the activists and leaders of BJP erupted in joy and celebrated the occasion at the party office.
Meanwhile, the BJP has planned a series of programmes on Thursday on the occasion of Vajpayee’s birthday, which is being celebrated as Good Governance Day, in the city.