PM Modi announced that former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh and agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan would be conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest honor. This announcement is seen as an attempt by the BJP to increase its support in southern India and Western Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The decision to honor Charan Singh coincides with his grandson Jayant Singh’s party forging an alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This strong base in Western UP is likely to benefit the BJP in the upcoming polls. Similarly, the decision to honor Narasimha Rao from Telangana is seen as an effort by the BJP to grow its footprint in southern India, with speculations of a possible alliance with the Telegu Dasam Party (TDP). It remains unclear whether the saffron party will ally with TDP. Additionally, the government’s decision to honor Swaminathan is seen as a move to make a base in Tamil Nadu, with a number of leaders from AIADMK recently joining the BJP. Overall, the announcement of the Bharat Ratna for these three individuals is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to increase its support in key regions ahead of the elections.