State to recommend Raj for Bharat Ratna
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Sunday declared that the State government would recommend legendary Kannada film matinee idol, the late Rajkumar for the Bharat Ratna award posthumously.
Reacting to his party MP Ananth Kumar's request during the 83rd birth anniversary celebrations of Rajkumar at Ravindra Kalakshetra here, the Chief Minister said Rajkumar was “most eligible” for the highest civilian honour. The State government would make a formal proposal to the Centre in this regard, he added.
The State government instituted an award in the actor's name. Rajkumar laid a solid foundation for the development of Kannada filmdom. He contributed to the development of Kannada language and culture, he said.
The government had solved most of the problems faced by the Kannada film industry. The government was committed to solve the remaining problems, he promised.
Home Minister R Ashok said Rajkumar never nursed political ambitions.
