Bharat Ratna The highest Civilian awards have started courting controversy. The BJJ is suddenly now espousing the cause of recognition for A.B VaJpayee. Farook Abdulla,Nitish Kumar, Shashi Taroor have joined the bandwagon to promote the interest of Vajpayee,. Vajpayee was a part of the committee, which tried to do away with these controversial awards. It is doubtful, whether he himself would willingly receive such an award, coming as it is under protest An individual politician, who had refused this award , was conferred posthumously It is felt that some recipients like Rajeev Gandhi, Nanda were undeserving candidates, There was no forceful demand to consider Vajpayee based on coalition politics that took root, nor the Pokaran BLAST, which catapulted India into select Nuclear club. There is no doubt the political parties favour their own to bestow this prestige
It is strange that BJP in particular is raking up this issue only when Rao and Sachin are recipients of this award .It can be assumed that it is only the BJP which is not hiding its secretive intentions The present awardees by far are most deserving considering their records and that has been demonstrated by public support without dissent or reservations It may be that in the election year the BJP is seeking mileage and sympathy to consolidate votes There is no doubt that BJP candidate Vajpayee is a statesman, above these awards but why is the BJP clamouring for it thus lowering the standards of Vajpayee? Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
