‘One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental,’ the PM posted on X.
Former Deputy Prime Minister and veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday, sparking a wave of congratulatory messages for the 96-year-old founding member of the saffron outfit. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said the former Union Minister’s contribution to the development of India is monumental.
“I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour,” the PM said.
“The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me. I will always consider it my privilege that I got countless opportunities to interact with him and learn from him,” he added. Praising Advani in his social media post, the PM said, “One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and ;B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of
rich insights,” PM posted on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his happiness over the announcement. “… Advani ji is known as the politician who set the standards of authenticity in Indian politics. In his long public life, he fought tirelessly for the issues related to the country, culture and people. His immense contribution towards the party and ideology cannot be summed up in words,” Shah said in social media post. Pratibha Advani, L.K. Advani’s daughter, was seen sitting with him at his residence in Delhi as she congratulated her father by offering him a laddu. Advani joined his hands and greeted the people. “He is very overwhelmed. He is a man of few words. But he had tears in his eyes. He was very happy even at the time of Pran Pratishtha of Ram temple. This was such a dream of his life for which he struggled and worked for a long time. His personality is such that when someone praises him, tears come
to his eyes,” she added. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also welcomed the honour for Advani. “The significant contribution that Advani ji has made to the country’s development and nation-building in various roles during his long public life is unforgettable and inspiring. He has also played an important role in keeping the unity and integrity of India intact…I thank Prime Minister Shri @narendramodiji for this decision and congratulate
Advaniji,” Singh wrote on X.
Congress leader Sandeep Dixit congratulated Advani but took a dig at the BJP government for the perceived delay in honouring him. “We are happy for the honour for Advaniji. But the way the BJP has ill-treated him and ignored him for eight-nine years has not been liked by people like us who have grown up seeing the veteran leader in action,” he said.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari, shared a personalised video address, saying the 96-year-old is a source of inspiration and that he played an important role in the expansion of the BJP.
“Awarding Bharat Ratna to our source of inspiration Lal Krishna Advani is a proud moment for us and the entire country. He dedicated his entire life to the country and society…Atal Bihari Vajpayee and he played an important role in the expansion of the BJP,” Gadkari said.
Born in Karachi, in present day Pakistan, on 8 November 1927, Advani through the years had served as the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the longest period since its inception in 1980. Capping a parliamentary career of nearly three decades, he was, first, the Home Minister and, later, the Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1999-2004).