Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing nation’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna to former Prime Minister Charan Singh on Friday, an elated Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary said ‘’Dil jeet liya’’.
The Prime Minister announced on social media that the government has decided to confer Bharat Ratna posthumously on former Prime Ministers Charan Singh and P V Narasimha Rao and legendary Agriculture Scientist M S Swaminathan.
The award for Chaudhary Charan Singh comes at a time when his grandson and chief of the RLD Jayant is said to be holding talks with the BJP for an alliance for the Lok Sabha election.
Talks were underway between BJP and RLD for the past couple of days.
After the announcement, now it seems that a deal for RLD to join NDA is sealed. Senior RLD officials here confirmed that now there should be no doubt about the new alliance in West UP between RLD and BJP.
Chaudhary said, “It is a big day and an emotional moment for me. I want to thank the President, government & PM Modi because this was part of his vision…Three awards have been given. The sentiments of the people are connected with this decision…”
He said what previous governments could not do till today has been completed by PM Modi’s vision.
‘’I would like to once again express my gratitude to PM Modi’s government for encouraging the people who aren’t part of the mainstream. Today the working class, farmers and laborers are being respected. No other government had the capability to do this. Today I remember my father Ajit Singh. Never mind how many seats I will take. Now how can I refuse ?’’
When asked if he is ready to join hands with BJP-NDA, the RLD chief said, “Koi kasar rehti hai? Aaj main kis muh se inkaar karoon (“Is there anything left? How can I refuse today).”
He said that today it is not a matter of discussion on distribution of seats, but it was a day of thanksgiving.
Jayant said that his father Ajit Singh’s unfulfilled dream has been fulfilled and this is an emotional and memorable moment. This decision will be remembered for generations, he said.
The RLD chief said, ‘’I will not delete any post and in democracy there are complaints and movements.’’
As per the sources, BJP has offered two Lok Sabha seats of Baghpat and Bijnor to RLD along with one Rajya Sabha seat. But RLD is demanding two more Lok Sabha seats.
The RLD had also demanded Bharat Ratna for Choudhury Charan Singh , which has been fulfilled now.