Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and party’s Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, BJP president J P Nadda and many leaders across party lines on Friday welcomed the Bharat Ratna recognition to former prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, and scientist M S Swaminathan.

In a post on ‘X’, the Congress chief wrote, “On the behalf of Indian National Congress, we welcome the Bharat Ratna being conferred to P V Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh and Dr M S Swaminathan.”

Recalling the contribution of Rao, Kharge said, “Former Prime Minister and Former Congress President, P V Narasimha Rao has tremendously contributed to nation building. Under his government, India embarked on a transformative journey with a series of economic reforms that played a pivotal role in shaping the middle class for generations to come.”

“He also made significant contributions to India’s Nuclear programme and a number of foreign policy achievements marked his tenure, including the ‘Look East’ policy. His vital role in the prosperity and development of our nation shall always be cherished,” he said.

On Chaudhary Charan Singh, Kharge said, “Former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh is known for his pro-farmer policies and is widely respected by the crores of farmers — our Annadatas and Khet Mazdoors in the country.”

A son of the soil, his interventions helped strengthen rural India, he said.

Talking about Swaminathan, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said, “The legendary scientist, Dr Swaminathan is known for his unmatched contribution to the field of agricultural science and his intervention in making India self-sufficient in food grains through the Green Revolution, is a milestone in nation building.”

“An institution builder par excellence, above all a humanitarian, he is also known as ‘the Father of Economic Ecology’, a richly deserved pseudonym,” he said.

Congress party applauds their vision, their hardwork and the exceptional legacies of these national icons, which the nation has always celebrated, added Kharge.

“I welcome them. Why not?,” Sonia Gandhi told reporters at the Parliament premises in response to a question on the announcement of the Bharat Ratna to Rao, Singh and Swaminathan.

In a series of posts on X, the BJP chief wrote, “I heartily congratulate the Government of India for its decision to honour former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh ji with the highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna’. He is a true representative of our social and cultural values. He fought to protect democracy during the emergency.”

“Dr MS Swaminathan being conferred with Bharat Ratna is a fitting tribute to his legacy. His monumental efforts in the field of agricultural research helped millions of people escape the clutches of hunger and poverty. His contribution to furthering the scope of innovation for the betterment of the people is an inspiration to our scientific community,’’ he said.

The BJP chief further said, “Former PM PV Narasimha Rao Garu deftly anchored the Indian economy through one of its worst crises and opened the doors for rapid economic progress.”

He was a visionary statesman who possessed profound intellect and contributed immensely towards securing our national interests, added Nadda.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement that they will be conferred with the highest civilian award of the nation through a post on X on Friday.

After the announcement, his Cabinet ministers took to the micro-blogging site and expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for the decision to honour them.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a series of post on X wrote, “Extremely happy with the announcement of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh being honoured with Bharat Ratna.”

He said Bharat Ratna to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao is a befitting tribute to the legendary statesman who shaped the history of our nation with an iconoclastic vision, intellect, and statesmanship.

“Honouring the illustrious Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji with the Bharat Ratna is a testament to our nation’s profound sense of gratitude towards the great souls who laid the foundation of its progress,’” added Shah.