Vajpayee to be conferred Bharat Ratna on birthday

New Delhi, Dec 18: The Modi government is likely to confer the highest civilian award-the Bharat Ratna-to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birthday on December 25.

Inside sources said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to make the announcement on Dec 25. BJP has campaigned for the recognition of Vajpayee for a long time. He was the first PM belonging to the party and the first one from a party, other than the Congress to have a full term.

The party had earlier voiced for the conferment of the award on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel after his death. However, the SC ruled out that the award cannot be conferred to anyone who passed away before the last Republic Day. The Supreme Court is also to decide whether stalwart of freedom strug gle Madan Mohan Malviya should also be conferred one.

OneIndia News