Bihar’s First Non-Congress Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur Honoured With Bharat Ratna posthumously

New Delhi: The late Chief Minister of Bihar, Karpoori Thakur, was posthumously honored with the prestigious Bharat Ratna by President Droupadi Murmu this evening, marking 35 years since his passing on February 17, 1988.

Known as the “Jan Nayak” by many in the state, Karpoori Thakur briefly served as the Chief Minister of Bihar, holding office from December 1970 to June 1971 and then again from December 1977 to April 1979.

This recognition from the Central government fulfills a longstanding demand of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal United, acknowledging the contributions of the state’s first non-Congress Chief Minister. The timing of this honor, just before the general election, is perceived as a strategic move to appease the Chief Minister of Bihar, a state with significant influence, boasting 40 parliamentary seats.