Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s relatives have >welcomed the reports regarding the central government’s plans to confer the country highest civilian award ‘Bharat Ratna’ on him.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Vajpayee’s niece Karuna Shukla said, “Our complete family is feeling honoured over the reports of Bharat Ranta to my uncle and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I am proud of the fact that I am the daughter of his elder brother Awadh Bihari Vajpayee”.
“He (Vajpayee) has given his entire life for the country and it’s a matter of great satisfaction if they (central government) have decided to bestow him with the coveted award,” said Ms. Shukla who had resigned from the BJP to join the Congress party last year.
However, Ms. Shukla was critical of the BJP's “deviations from moral standards” set by her uncle and L.K. Advani.
“The moral character of the BJP has changed. The current leadership of the party says something and does something else. I served the BJP for 32 years, but I was humiliated and forced to quit,” claimed Ms. Shukla.
