Nitish for +Bharat Ratna+ to Karpoori Thakur

Patna, Jan 24 (PTI) Chief Minister Nitish Kumar todaydemanded that Centre confer the highest civilian award+Bharat Ratna+ upon veteran socialist and former ChiefMinister Karpoori Thakur.

+This is the day or treat it every day we should take apledge to follow the path of Karpoori Thakur... we shoulddemand that the Centre award Bharat Ratna upon the veteransocialist posthumously in recognition of his outstandingcontributions+, Kumar said while addressing a function on theoccasion of the 87th birth annivesary of Thakur.

Stating that the state government had providedreservation for backwards and extremely backwards in jobs inthe states, he said it would be a great respect to the formerchief minister if the Centre also works for providingreservations for them in jobs and reserved seats for themin the state legislatures and Parliament in keeping with thefacilities enjoyed by SC/ST people.

Kumar said the proposal to confer the highest civilianaward on Thakur had been sent to the Centre earlier too.

To mark Thakur''s birth anniversary, the JD(U) organisedan EBC conclave which was inaugurated by Kumar at S KMemorial hall.