Patna (Bihar) [India], October 28 (ANI): Amid a political row over Congress calling Rahul Gandhi 'Jan Nayak', a title linked to Bihar's socialist icon Karpuri Thakur, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday said that such titles are 'earned through people's work, not through the drums of the court'.

While wishing the people on the Chhath Puja, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said, 'We also gave the title of Loknayak to a leader, Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, under whose leadership we worked. This title is earned through work, not through the Darbaris of the court.'

The BJP is targeting the Congress and Rahul Gandhi after the 'Jan Nayak title controversy.

Earlier, Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha Chief Jitan Ram Manjhi said on Monday that the title of 'Jan Nayak' cannot be self-assumed but must be bestowed by the people.

Speaking to ANI, Manjhi emphasised, 'The title of 'Jan-Nayak' is given by the people of the country; it can't be self-claimed.'

Slamming RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Manjhi said that if he too is being referred to as 'Jan Nayak,' it would demean the legacy of the title once associated with the revered socialist leader Karpoori Thakur.

'I was told people referred to Tejashwi Yadav as 'Jan-Nayak'. Then, this is an insult to the word 'Jan Nayak'. Karpoori Thakur ji was called 'Jan Nayak'. What has Tejaswi done in the state?' Manjhi remarked.

Earlier, Union Minister and BJP's Bihar election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said that Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur remains the only true Jana Nayak of Bihar, emphasising that any attempt to imitate the revered socialist leader would fail to gain public acceptance.

'There is only one Jana Nayak in Bihar, and that is Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur Ji. If anyone makes a failed attempt to copy him, the people will not accept that,' Pradhan said. (ANI)