As the demand for Bharat Ratna for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gains momentum within the Congress, the political debate around his recognition continues to escalate. The Telangana Assembly’s resolution has ignited widespread support within the party, especially from Congress leaders who have publicly backed the idea of honoring Singh with the highest civilian award.

Pramod Tiwari reiterated his backing for the Telangana government’s move, emphasizing Singh’s stature as a “great leader” and his immense contributions to India’s growth. He further urged the Centre to accept the resolution, calling it long overdue. Subharansh Kumar Rai, another Congress leader, added that Singh’s work in areas like education, transparency, and welfare schemes made him deserving of the Bharat Ratna.

The passing of the resolution in Telangana has sparked both praise and criticism. Telangana’s ruling BRS and the BJP came together briefly in a special Assembly session to agree on erecting a statue of Manmohan Singh in Hyderabad, an honor aimed at acknowledging his leadership. Despite this, the BJP has seized the opportunity to continue its criticism of Congress leadership, questioning why the Bharat Ratna was not conferred on Singh earlier, particularly citing the alleged rejection of a 2013 proposal by former President Pranab Mukherjee.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a sharp jab at Congress, accusing the Gandhi family of “insecurity” towards non-Nehru-Gandhi leaders, specifically targeting Singh. He claimed that Sonia Gandhi had failed to take forward Mukherjee’s recommendation, which he argued was indicative of Congress’s reluctance to honor Singh’s legacy, despite his landmark contributions to the nation.

The BJP’s criticism extended further, as some leaders suggested that the Congress’s push for Singh’s recognition was an attempt to appeal to the Sikh community ahead of elections. However, the Congress has dismissed these allegations, with Rai calling them “absolute lies” and questioning the BJP’s motives. He demanded that the party provide proof to substantiate its claims.

Singh’s passing has also been a focal point of political mudslinging between Congress and BJP, with tensions rising over his funeral arrangements and memorialization. Congress Whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, strongly condemned the BJP’s focus on Rahul Gandhi’s foreign travel during the mourning period, calling it a diversionary tactic to avoid addressing issues like the BJP’s handling of Singh’s cremation. Meanwhile, Tiwari defended Gandhi’s trip, emphasizing the emotional loss felt by the Congress leader and pointing to the public’s sympathy for Gandhi’s grief after Singh’s death.

While Congress remains focused on honoring Singh’s legacy and pushing for the Bharat Ratna, tensions with the BJP continue to unfold, reflecting the deeply polarized political atmosphere ahead of the upcoming elections.