PM Modi meets LK Advani, seeks blessings as BJP leader enters 100th year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani as he turned 99 on Sunday, November 8, marking his entry into the 100th year of his life. Earlier on Sunday, Modi took to X to greet Advani on the milestone and also penned an article recalling his political journey and contribution to the country. "Today, 8th November, is a landmark day. Respected L.K. Advani Ji enters his hundredth year. On this special occasion, my greetings to him," the Prime Minister wrote. Today, 8th November, is a landmark day. Respected L.K. Advani Ji enters his hundredth year.

On this special occasion, my greetings to him. I've written an article in which I've highlighted his everlasting contribution to India. I have recalled his journey, be it experiencing the horrors of Partition and rebuilding life from scratch, strengthening the Jana Sangh and building the BJP, standing up for democracy during the Emergency, leading the Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra or serving the nation in government. Have also written about other aspects of Advani Ji - the voracious reader, his love for culture and cinema, a prolific writer and more. English - https://t.co/tc77ZVhRdo हिंदी - https://t.co/t0JSavOopX -- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

November 8, 2026 In an article published in The Indian Express on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled Advani's contribution to building the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and subsequently establishing the BJP as a major political force. He traced Advani's journey from Karachi, where he was born in 1927, to India following Partition in 1947, highlighting how he rebuilt his life and devoted himself to public service. Describing ideological clarity and intellectual sharpness as defining features of Advani's leadership, the Prime Minister said he gave the BJP a strong foundation rooted in the principle of 'Nation First'.

PM Modi also reflected on Advani's longstanding political partnership with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying their association helped shape the course of Indian politics without either leader allowing personal ambitions to overshadow their shared objectives. He recalled Advani's role in opposing the Emergency imposed in 1975, his contribution to the Somnath-to-Ayodhya Rath Yatra in 1990, and his efforts as Information and Broadcasting Minister, Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. The Prime Minister further recalled the conferment of the Bharat Ratna on Advani in 2024, describing it as recognition of his decades-long contribution to the country and public life.

BJP organises puja, havan at party headquarters Several senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and party president Nitin Nabin, also paid tribute to the Bharat Ratna awardee, acknowledging his contribution to the party and Indian politics. The BJP marked Advani's 99th birthday with a special puja and havan at its headquarters in New Delhi on Sunday. The programme was organised to honour his long public life, contribution to nation-building and role in developing the party's organisational structure. According to PTI, the event was attended by BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Advani's daughter, Pratibha Advani, among others.

The programme began with religious ceremonies, followed by the screening of a 20-minute video showcasing significant moments from Advani's political journey, including excerpts from his speeches. Senior leaders also shared their recollections of his contribution to the party and the country. Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh laud Advani's contribution Union Home Minister Amit Shah described Advani as a symbol of national service, calling him one of the architects of the BJP and a principled statesman. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the veteran leader had established high standards of integrity, commitment and leadership through his decades in public life.

BJP president Nitin Nabin also credited Advani with taking the party's organisational journey from the Jana Sangh to the BJP to new heights. He said the veteran leader had played an important role in popularising the party's ideology and turning the Ram Janmabhoomi movement into a mass movement. Union Minister Piyush Goyal described Advani as an example of dedication to the nation, ideological conviction and loyalty to the organisation. Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, Advani moved to India following Partition in 1947. He subsequently became one of the most influential figures in the Jana Sangh and played a central role in the formation and expansion of the BJP.

His political career was closely associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the Somnath-to-Ayodhya Rath Yatra in 1990, which became a defining episode in the BJP's political history. Advani served as Union Home Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government and later became Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004. In recognition of his contribution to public life, Advani was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2024. President Droupadi Murmu presented the award at his residence in New Delhi in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and other senior leaders.