Jitan Ram Manjhi backs KC Tyagi’s Bharat Ratna demand for Nitish Kumar; JDU distances itself from it.
Photo Credit: The Suncity News.
Patna, January 10, 2026: After senior JDU leader KC Tyagi, Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has extended support to the demand that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be awarded the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour.
Backing the proposal, Jitan Ram Manjhi wrote on his official X handle, “ Bharat Ratna Nitish Kumar…how wonderful that would sound. We are fully confident that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is known for surprising everyone with his decisions, will once again surprise the nation by awarding the Bharat Ratna to the Chief Minister of Bihar.”
KC Tyagi wrote a letter to the Prime Minister:
KC Tyagi had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 8, 2026, urging him to confer the Bharat Ratna on Nitish Kumar.
In his recommendation, KC Tyagi cited the examples of former Prime Minister Choudhary Charan Singh and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, who were awarded the Bharat Ratna last year.
KC Tyagi argued that several leaders have received the Bharat Ratna during their lifetime and said that millions of people believe Nitish Kumar deserves the honour.
He added that history would remember such a decision positively.
JDU distances itself from KC Tyagi’s demand:
However, KC Tyagi’s demand has sparked internal controversy within the JDU.
Party leaders openly distanced themselves from his statement.
JDU National Spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan clarified that the party does not support the demand and questioned Tyagi’s current association with the organization.
“KC Tyagi has been making several statements recently that have nothing to do with the party’s ideology or official stand. Party leaders and workers are not even aware whether he is still associated with the party or not,” Rajiv Ranjan said.
He further stated that Tyagi’s demand for the Bharat Ratna should be treated as a personal opinion, not the party’s position.
“It appears that his demand is purely personal. The JDU has no connection with this statement,” he added.
The controversy has triggered political debate in Bihar, with differing opinions emerging over the timing and legitimacy of the demand, even as Nitish Kumar continues to remain a central figure in state and national politics.
EOM.