Row over "Bharat Ratna" Award

The political controversy over "Bharat Ratna" award has taken an ugly turn with leaders demanding the award for their party veterans. The controversy started when BJP leader L K Advani wrote to PM Manmohan Singh to confer Bharat Ratna on former PM and veteran BJP leader A B Vajpayee.

Advani's demand drew flak from all quarters. Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Munshi criticized Advani for raising such issues in public. Congress leader Veerappa Moily joined issues by demanding "Bharat Ratna" for vetran CPI-M leader Jyoti Basu. However, Basu made it clear that he was not in the race.

Yesterday, BSP supremo Mayawati joined the race by demanding the highest award for late Kanshi Ram. The political drama and has made a mockery "Bharat Ratna" award . It's an irony that our political leaders are fighting over an issue that is associated with dignity and self-respect.