A TMC MP on Friday asked the Central government to confer West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with the Bharat Ratna.

Idris Ali, Lok Sabha MP and a member of the state minority commission, made the demand at a minority forum in Kolkata.

Ali, known to be close to the West Bengal chief minister, declared Banerjee was a symbol of national unity. "I know she [Banerjee] would, perhaps, not agree with me. I have also not spoken to her before saying this. But I must say her contribution to secularism and unity in India is paramount. So we want Bharat Ratna for her," Ali said.

Ali's demand for the Bharat Ratna for Banerjee came as a surprise to many as it was never discussed at any TMC forum. Many TMC leaders refused to speak about Ali's comments. A TMC leader told this correspondent, "We don't make any official comment without our leader's approval. I have nothing to say."

Ali's Bharat Ratna demand, not surprisingly, led to a sarcastic response from the BJP.

Dilip Ghosh, state BJP president, said, "All Indians can aspire to become a Bharat Ratna. But it's the prerogative of the government to give it to him or her."

Pressed more about it, Ghosh argued," Even people can recommend my name as well. They have the liberty."