‘Bharat Ratna isn’t a small award’: Jayant justifies BJP tie-up to cadre

RLD CHIEF Jayant Singh Chaudhary on Tuesday attributed his decision to join hands with the BJP just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections to the Centre conferring Bharat Ratna on former prime minister and his grandfather Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Addressing a gathering in Muzaffarnagar, Jayant in a bid to pacify his party workers said that Bharat Ratna was “not any small award” and people “sacrifice everything for their maan samman (self-respect)”.

“There is very little time left for the Lok Sabha elections. At such a time if someone is angry, small resentments are bound to happen... and especially we have an alliance. There are BJP workers, RLD workers and voters should give them more respect… The honour of Bharat Ratna is not any small award... Chaudhary Charan Singh is one of the deserving people who have been given Bharat Ratna. This is a big thing for our honour and respect. People sacrifice everything for respect. This is not a small thing for us,” Jayant said at Bhokarhedi, where he concluded a 60 km roadshow, covering two Lok Sabha constituencies – Muzaffarnagar, where sitting BJP MP Sanjeev Balyan is seeking reelection for the third time; and Bijnor where RLD has fielded its MLA Chandan Chauhan.

“After thinking for the benefit of the region, we decided to join the Bjp-led NDA," he added.

The RLD, which fought the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the 2022 UP Assembly elections in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, joined the NDA in early March, stumping the SP.

The RLD chief also said that he has asked the BJP government at the Centre to make more effective schemes for the youth.

“I hope that you will support me in this decision... This is politics," said Jayant.

Pitching for Hindu-muslim unity, he said: “Best wishes for Navratri and Eid. These are festivals that everyone celebrates together. May there be unity among us.”

Jayant Chaudhary in Muzaffarnagar on Tuesday.