Fresh posters outside JD(U) office demand Bharat Ratna for Nitish

Patna: Fresh posters demanding Bharat Ratna for former chief minister and Rajya Sabha member Nitish Kumar appeared outside the JD(U) office here on Saturday, triggering political speculation in the state capital.Put up by party supporters, the banners describe Kumar’s nearly two-decade public career as a “golden example of public service” and call for India’s highest civilian honour for him. The main line on the poster says, “Nitish sevak maang raha hai... ab Bharat Ratna samman.”The display has drawn attention not only for the award demand but also for its political messaging. The banner prominently carries the image of Bihar health minister Nishant Kumar, Nitish Kumar’s son, and describes him as the “future leader of Bihar.”

It also claims that Nitish’s political mission remains unfinished and that Nishant will complete his father’s vision for the state. The wording has added a clear succession angle to the debate over the JD(U)’s future leadership.The posters mark a renewed public push by Nitish loyalists after the party leadership earlier adopted a cautious stand on the issue. In Jan, senior JD(U) leader K C Tyagi publicly demanded the Bharat Ratna for Nitish. The party then distanced itself from the statement, saying Tyagi’s remarks were personal and did not represent its official position. Several

NDA

allies had nevertheless supported the proposal.

The latest posters indicate that support for the honour remains active among sections of the party cadre despite the official restraint. In Bihar, demands for Bharat Ratna recognition often carry political meaning beyond the award itself.The Union govt posthumously conferred the honour on socialist icon Karpoori Thakur in Jan 2024, ahead of his birth centenary.