Reacting to the government's decision to confer Bharat Ratna on former prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, grandson of the late prime minister, N.V. Subhash, blamed the Congress, especially the Gandhi family, accusing it of "making Narasimha Rao a scapegoat for the failures of the Congress party."
Subhash, a BJP leader, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for honouring Rao with Bharat Ratna even though the former PM belonged to the Congress.
"I blame the UPA government, especially the Gandhi family. From 2004 to 2014, when the UPA government was in power at the centre, leave alone Bharat Ratna, leave alone any awards, the Gandhi family was very, very instrumental in making Narasimha Rao a scapegoat for the failures of the Congress party," he was quoted as saying.
He further said he feels "very, very emotional" as he has been expecting that Bharat Ratna for Rao would be delayed.
Prime Minister Modi hailed Rao saying, "As a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao Garu served India extensively in various capacities. He is equally remembered for the work he did as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister, and as a Member of Parliament and Legislative Assembly for many years. His visionary leadership was instrumental in making India economically advanced, laying a solid foundation for the country's prosperity and growth."
Modi observed that Rao's tenure as PM was "marked by significant measures that opened India to global markets, fostering a new era of economic development."
Rao's contributions to India's foreign policy, language and education sectors underscore his multifaceted legacy as a leader who not only steered India through critical transformations but also enriched its cultural and intellectual heritage, Modi said.
