Political spat over Bharat Ratna deepens | Write blog

CONTROVERSY ON: The political ping-pong over the nation's most prestigious award have begun.

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New Delhi: The battle for the country's most coveted awards, the Bharat Ratna has begun, and so has the controversy.

While the Congress is wary of BJP doyen Vajpayee getting the award, what are the chances for CPI-M stalwart Jyoti Basu?

The political ping-pong over the nation's most prestigious award have begun. After all, the Bharat Ratna is no stranger to controversy and, lets face it, a political statement.

So Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may not feel delighted at the thought of the award going to the doyen of BJP, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Manmohan Singh says, “It is too early to decide on who will get the awards."

While Mr Advani's intentions might be laudable, he in fact has spoilt any chance Mr Vajpayee ever had of bagging the award.

Advani is a member of the committee that decides on the awards. He is expected to be impartial and objective, and not lobby for his favourite. At least, not so publicly. His party, however, has not given up.

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad says, “Vajpayee is among India's great leaders. His contribution to the country is immense. We hope he is honoured with the Bharat Ratna.”

While the BJP and the Congress may fight it out, the Left seems loftily detached at the prospects of veteran CPI- M leader, Jyoti Basu bagging it.

The CPI-M has never accepted any state awards, will it break tradition for comrade Basu? The party spoilt his chances of becoming the Prime Minister once, will they make an exception for him for the Bharat Ratna?

Congress leader Veerappa Moily says, ”There is nothing wrong in putting anybody's name. We should see Bharat Ratna beyond any religion and political leader.”

True, the award should transcend the boundaries of region and party - a laudable ideal so hard to practice.