Farooq Abdullah also demands Bharat Ratna for Vajpayee

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Nov 18: National Conference chief and union Minister Farooq Abdullah Monday supported the demand for giving the country's highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"I am not from the BJP, but an Indian and no one can forget Vajpayee-ji was a great leader. I request the government to finally give Bharat Ratna to him," Abdullah told reporters.

Abdullah said the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had once told Vajpayee that he would one day become the prime minister.

BJP senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has demanded that Vajpayee be awarded the Bharat Ratna.

Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United Sunday also supported the demand.

IANS