<p> Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday spoke to BJP stalwart and former deputy PM LK Advani over the phone and congratulated him after his name was announced as a recipient of the Bharat Ratna.</p>.<p>Noting that Advani's contribution to nation-building is inspiring, Kumar said he had the opportunity to work with him in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.</p>.<p>"The CM extended his best wishes to Advani-ji for the central government's decision to confer Bharat Ratna award to him. He spoke to Advani-ji over the phone and extended his heartiest congratulations to him," said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).</p>.Bihar Cabinet portfolios allocated: Nitish retains home; BJP gets finance, health.<p>Kumar said Advani is one of the most respected statesmen in the country.</p>.<p>"The contribution that Advani-ji has made to the country's development and nation-building in various roles/capacities during his long public life is unforgettable and inspiring,'" he said.</p>.<p>"I also got an opportunity to work with him in the Union cabinet during the tenure of former PM respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I learnt a lot from him," he said.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award. </p>
<p> Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday spoke to BJP stalwart and former deputy PM LK Advani over the phone and congratulated him after his name was announced as a recipient of the Bharat Ratna.</p>.<p>Noting that Advani's contribution to nation-building is inspiring, Kumar said he had the opportunity to work with him in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.</p>.<p>"The CM extended his best wishes to Advani-ji for the central government's decision to confer Bharat Ratna award to him. He spoke to Advani-ji over the phone and extended his heartiest congratulations to him," said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).</p>.Bihar Cabinet portfolios allocated: Nitish retains home; BJP gets finance, health.<p>Kumar said Advani is one of the most respected statesmen in the country.</p>.<p>"The contribution that Advani-ji has made to the country's development and nation-building in various roles/capacities during his long public life is unforgettable and inspiring,'" he said.</p>.<p>"I also got an opportunity to work with him in the Union cabinet during the tenure of former PM respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I learnt a lot from him," he said.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award. </p>