NEW DELHI: Union minister and HAM(S) supremo Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday demanded the country’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, for Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. He expressed hope that the PM Modi-led government would bestow the award on the current Bihar CM.Manjhi’s push followed a similar demand from Nitish Kumar’s party colleague, KC Tyagi.Taking to X, former Bihar CM and key NDA leader Jitan Ram Manjhi wrote in Hindi, which roughly translates to: “Bharat Ratna Nitish Kumar Ji… How wonderful it would sound to hear those words, wouldn’t it? We have complete faith that the esteemed Prime Minister Ji, known for stunning everyone with his decisions, will once again leave the nation in awe by deciding to bestow the Bharat Ratna upon Bihar’s esteemed chief minister Nitish Kumar Ji. Bharat Ratna Nitish Kumar…”However, hours later, JD(U) distanced itself from KC Tyagi’s demand. JD(U) leader Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said on Saturday that Tyagi’s statement had no connection with the party’s activities. Ranjan also highlighted Nitish Kumar’s good health and clarified that Tyagi’s statements were made in a personal capacity, not representing the party.