New Delhi: Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, whose legacy has been a subject of debate for years, will posthumously receive the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, nearly two decades after his demise. Narasimha Rao is among a record five recipients of the award this year, including Karpuri Thakur, Charan Singh, LK Advani, and renowned agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan.

Known for spearheading major economic reforms in the 1990s, Narasimha Rao led a Congress government at the Centre from 1991 to 1996. His Finance Minister, Manmohan Singh, later served as Prime Minister for two terms from 2004 to 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the honour via a post on X, highlighting Narasimha Rao's extensive service to India in various capacities.

Expressing delight over the announcement, PM Modi praised Narasimha Rao's visionary leadership, which played a pivotal role in advancing India's economic growth and prosperity. He also lauded Narasimha Rao's contributions to India's foreign policy, language, and education sectors, emphasizing his multifaceted legacy as a transformative leader.

The decision to confer the Bharat Ratna on Narasimha Rao, a Congress Prime Minister, is seen as a strategic move by the ruling BJP to strengthen its appeal in his home state Andhra Pradesh, as well as Telangana, which was formed from it in 2014. It also sends a message to states and parties not aligned with the BJP, underscoring the party's recognition and respect for icons who may have been overlooked by their own parties.

Narasimha Rao's association with both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh makes the decision politically significant, with key rivals in Andhra Pradesh, the ruling YSR Congress Party, and the opposition TDP, eyeing potential alliances with the BJP. Additionally, the move is interpreted as an attempt to overshadow the Congress, which had distanced itself from Narasimha Rao due to corruption allegations during his tenure.

PM Modi's reference to the disrespect shown to Narasimha Rao by the Congress upon his death in December 2004 reflects the BJP's efforts to position itself as a party that acknowledges and honors leaders irrespective of political affiliations.

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