Union minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAM(S)) supremo Jitan Ram Manjhi has publicly demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. Manjhi expressed his confidence on Saturday, January 10, 2026, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for his impactful decisions, would surprise everyone by bestowing the award on Nitish Kumar. This push by Manjhi comes shortly after a similar request was made by Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) leader K.C. Tyagi. Tyagi had formally written a letter to PM Modi on Thursday, January 9, 2026, advocating for Kumar to receive the Bharat Ratna, citing his significant contributions to the socialist movement, social justice, and governance in Bihar. He drew parallels between Kumar's legacy and those of recently honoured socialist icons like Chaudhary Charan Singh and Karpoori Thakur. However, the JD(U), Nitish Kumar's own party, has swiftly distanced itself from K.C. Tyagi's demand. On Saturday, January 10, 2026, JD(U) spokespersons, including Rajeev Ranjan Prasad and Minister Ashok Choudhary, clarified that Tyagi's remarks were "purely personal" and did not reflect the official position or ideology of the party. Some party officials even expressed uncertainty regarding Tyagi's current active membership within the organisation, reinforcing that his statements should be considered in a personal capacity only. This development highlights the ongoing political discourse surrounding Nitish Kumar's contributions and recognition, with allies advocating for the honour while his party maintains a neutral, detached stance on the formal demand. The news has created a flutter in Bihar's political circles.