New Delhi:
President Droupadi Murmu today addressed the nation on the eve of the 75th Republic Day. “This is a period of epoch-making change,” President Murmu said in the televised address.
Acknowledging the contribution to society of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, she also pointed to the inauguration of the Ram Lalla Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh as a historic and hugely important moment for the country.
“I pay tribute to Karpoori ji for enriching public life with his contribution,” the President said.
Karpoori Thakur, the two-term Bihar Chief Minister who passed away in 1988, has been named after the country's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, for his contribution to uplifting the poor and backward classes. During his political career, Karpoori Thakur was considered the leading light of Other Backward Classes (OBC) politics in Bihar.
“Karpoori ji belonged to the backward classes and dedicated his life for their welfare,” President Murmur said.
I pay tribute to Karpoori Ji for enriching public life through his contributions. pic.twitter.com/RebJqrnl8k
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 25, 2024
Soon after the Centre's announcement, villagers of the 'Karpoori gram' in Bihar's Samastipur district had met the relatives of Karpoori Thakur and his eldest son Ramnath Thakur, the Rajya Sabha MP from Janata Dal (United) or JD van Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. (YOU).
Senior JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar had said that Nitish Kumar had requested the Center to honor Karpoori Thakur with the Bharat Ratna. “Though it came late, it is a welcome decision and will inspire the youth to adopt his ideals,” Neeraj Kumar had said.
As for Nitish Kumar, all indications point to him leaving the newly formed opposition bloc INDIA. The Bihar Chief Minister will not join Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra when he enters the state on January 30, sources said today.
However, Nitish Kumar is likely to share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the Prime Minister visits Bihar to campaign for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
In deciding not to go with Mr Gandhi, the Bihar Chief Minister, whose Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), an ally of Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in the ruling Bihar government, has has given a subtle message that all is not well within the INDIA bloc.