A poster demanding the Bharat Ratna for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad was spotted in Patna, prompting ridicule from the ruling NDA in Bihar, who highlighted his controversial record. The poster featured the slogan "Leader of social justice and the voice of Bihar Lalu Prasad be conferred with Bharat Ratna," along with a photograph of Lalu captioned "Messiah! Our God!" It was signed by an RJD office bearer from the SC/ST cell and placed near the party's office on Birchand Patel Marg.

Despite being the single largest party in the state assembly, the RJD has been out of power, portraying Lalu Yadav as the "messiah of the poor." RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed stated, "Talk to any rickshaw puller or laborer in Bihar. They will tell you that it was Lalu ji who gave them a voice. All OBC and Dalit leaders owe their political fortunes to the social revolution he brought."

Interestingly, just a month earlier, a similar poster demanding Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar had appeared outside the JD(U) office. Union minister Chirag Paswan, another NDA partner, has also called for the highest civilian honor for his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan.

NDA's Displeasure and Congress' Response

Reacting negatively, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad remarked, "I would have treated it as a joke had it been close to Holi. But since RJD is earnest, I urge them not to insult the Bharat Ratna." JD(U) state spokesperson Neeraj Kumar added bluntly, "Why should Lalu ji receive a Bharat Ratna? His legacy of corruption, casteism, and patronage to criminals would tarnish any honor."

Lalu Prasad is currently serving sentences in multiple fodder scam cases and is out on bail, having been disqualified from contesting elections due to his convictions. Former state BJP president and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary suggested, "In recognition of his financial wrongdoings, Lalu Prasad should be given the title of Loot Ratna."

The Congress, an old ally of the RJD, offered a cautious response. "Every party has such feelings about its leader. There is nothing unusual about it. We cannot deny that Lalu has the largest support base among leaders in Bihar," stated Rajesh Rathore, the state Congress media cell in-charge.