JD(U) leader KC Tyagi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the Bharat Ratna for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, calling him a "precious gem" of the socialist movement. Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also supported the demand. However, the JD(U) has distanced itself from Tyagi's statement, labeling it a personal opinion not aligned with the party's ideology. NDA leaders, including Chirag Paswan, have expressed support for Kumar's potential recognition, while acknowledging a formal process.