File photo: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today welcomed the Centre's decision to confer the Bharat Ratna on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malaviya.
"It is indeed heartening and a matter of pride for every Indian to confer Bharat Ratna on two of its most precious gems - Mahamana and Atal ji," Mr Chouhan tweeted soon after the announcement made by the government of the prestigious award.
"The 7.5 crore people of MP are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conferring Bharat Ratna to India's gems - Atal ji & Malviya ji," he said in an another tweet.
"Conferring Bharat Ratna on Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya ji is manifestation of India's respect for its great nationalist educationists," the Chief Minister tweeted.
In another tweet, Mr Chouhan said, "Atal ji, the tallest statesman of our times. An inspiration of service to the nation. Bharat Ratna is least India could confer on her son."
Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav also expressed happiness over the government's decision. "People of the country feel proud on Bharat Ratna being conferred to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Vajpayee is also a great poet, litterateur and patriot, apart from a political leader," the Governor stated in a press release.
Malaviya had made an important contribution in the field of education and dissemination of socialist ideology, Mr Yadav added.