Gossip: Bharat Ratna To NTR Today?

The Union Cabinet is likely to take a call on conferring TDP founder and former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao with Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian award.

The Union Cabinet meet being held today is the last for this tenure as the notification for the general elections is scheduled to be released in the next few days.

The demand for Bharat Ratna to NTR is long standing and there is nothing new in it. The demand gained strength after the bifurcation of the state in 2014.

The TDP has been demanding Bharat Ratna for NTR since long.

There is talk that the Bharat Ratna award to NTR has suddenly gained prominence after 10 years only because the TDP has entered into an alliance with the BJP-led NDA, just a couple of days ago.

It is also being said that the BJP is trying to woo the Telugu electorate in Andhra Pradesh by conferring the award on NTR, symbolising that it has respect towards the Telugus and their contribution towards the nation’s development and progress.

It may be recalled that the Centre had even released a coin embossed with NTR’s bust last year.

Conferring Bharat Ratna on NTR could be a brownie point for the TDP, in view of the YCP likely to question TDP leaders of not being committed to honour their party founder.