Bharat Ratna for Jyoti Basu? Left says no thanks

New Delhi: The battle for the country's most coveted awards, the Bharat Ratna has begun, and so has the controversy.

While the Congress is wary of BJP doyen Vajpayee getting the award, what are the chances for CPI-M stalwart Jyoti Basu?

The CPI-M has never accepted any state awards - will it break tradition for comrade Basu?

Jyoti Basu's name might be doing the rounds in some quarters as a possible recipient of Bharat Ratna but his party is clear that the veteran cannot accept it.

The CPI has downplayed talk of Basu being a contender.

CPI-M sources have told CNN-IBN that it is not the party's practice to accept state awards, making it clear that the former West Bengal Chief Minister will not be considered.

Jyoti Basu's name was mooted in some circles after L K Advani wrote to the Prime Minster saying Atal Bihari Vajpayee should be given the highest civilian honour.

Jyoti Basu had missed out on becoming the prime minister in the mid nineties after the Left parties decided against it.

CPI leader A B Bardhan said, “We are anti-establishment. We are fighting the state for a socialist society. So, we are against any state awards.”

The political ping-pong over the nation's most prestigious award have begun. After all, the Bharat Ratna is no stranger to controversy and, lets face it, a political statement.

So Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may not feel delighted at the thought of the award going to the doyen of BJP, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Talking about the contenders, Manmohan Singh said, “It is too early to decide on who will get the awards."

While Mr Advani's intentions might be laudable, he in fact has spoilt any chance Mr Vajpayee ever had of bagging the award.

Advani is a member of the committee that decides on the awards. He is expected to be impartial and objective, and not lobby for his favourite. At least, not so publicly. His party, however, has not given up.

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad says, “Vajpayee is among India's great leaders. His contribution to the country is immense. We hope he is honoured with the Bharat Ratna.”

Congress leader Veerappa Moily says, ”There is nothing wrong in putting anybody's name. We should see Bharat Ratna beyond any religion and political leader.”

True, the award should transcend the boundaries of region and party - a laudable ideal so hard to practice.