Most opportune time to confer Bharat Ratna on Atal Bihari Vajpayee, says nephew Anoop Mishra

Elated to hear about the conferment of Bharat Ratna on Atal Bihari Vajpayee, his nephew Anoop Mishra on Wednesday said it was the "most opportune time" to bestow his uncle with the country's highest civilian honour.

"It is a matter of great happiness to all of us family members. We are very happy about the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for conferring Bharat Ratna on Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji," Mishra said.

He said the decision to honour Vajpayee has come at an appropriate time.

"Everything happens at a particular time. It was the most opportune time to confer the greatest civilian honour on him," Mishra said.

BJP for long has been demanding conferment of Bharat Ratna to the former Prime Minister.

Vajpayee and educationist Madan Mohan Malviya were today chosen for the Bharat Ratna award.

The announcement on Bharat Ratna awards comes a day ahead of the BJP stalwart's birthday tomorrow. The BJP government has already decided to celebrate December 25 as 'Good Governance Day' to mark Vajpayee's birthday.