Rajnath backs Advani in conferring Bharat Ratna for Vajpayee

Kochi, Jan 12 (UNI) Backing leader of Opposition and senior Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) leader L K Advani's proposal that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee be conferred upon the 'Bharat Ratna', party President Rajnath Singh today said Mr Vajpayee was well respected across the political spectrum.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Rajnath made a dig at United Progressive Alliance(UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, stating that Mr Vajpayee had never in his long political career ever used terms like ''maut ke saudagar'' (merchants of death) against any political leader.

Stating that it was for the Government to take a decision on Mr Advani's suggestion, he said the BJP fully supported his proposal.

Asked about the Communist Party of India(Marxist)'s demand for the highest civilian honour to be conferred on veteran leader Jyoti Basu and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's demand for the same for the late Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) founder, Kanshi Ram, BJP Secretary Balbir Punj said ''if an opinion poll was held on the issue, the people of India will give you the answer.'' UNI ARC KVV RL AS184