BJP co-founder LK Advani to receive India’s highest civilian award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (February 3, 2024) introduced that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) co-founder and the Ram Mandir agitation face, LK Advani, shall be conferred Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award within the nation.

In an extended X submit, Modi on Saturday shared just a few footage with Advani, the longest serving BJP president and an ex-Deputy Prime Minister, and mentioned it was an emotional second for him.

His X submit reads, “I’m very blissful to share that Shri LK Advani Ji shall be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I additionally spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of probably the most revered statesmen of our instances, his contribution to the event of India is monumental.

“His is a life that began from working on the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as effectively. His Parliamentary interventions have at all times been exemplary, stuffed with wealthy insights.”

The Prime Minister added, “Advani Ji’s decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering dedication to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary customary in political ethics.

“He has made unparalleled efforts in direction of furthering nationwide unity and cultural resurgence. The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a really emotional second for me. I’ll at all times take into account it my privilege that I acquired numerous alternatives to work together with him and study from him.”

What did LK Advani say?

“With utmost humility and gratitude, I settle for the Bharat Ratna that has been conferred on me at the moment,” he mentioned in an announcement as quoted by Press Trust of India quickly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced his identify for the nation’s highest civilian honour.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude to tens of millions of BJP employees, RSS volunteers and others with whom he had labored in his public life, Advani thanked President Droupadi Murmu and Modi for the honour.

“I additionally categorical my deepest emotions for all members of my household, particularly my pricey departed spouse Kamla. They have been the best supply of energy and sustenance in my life,” he mentioned.

He added, “May our nice nation progress to the top of greatness and glory.”

LK Advani and his political life

LK Advani and his political journey

Advani, who served because the Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004, was one of many co-founders of BJP, which got here to energy for the primary time in Nineteen Nineties.

Born in Karachi and moved to India throughout Partition, Advani joined BJP’s ideological mother or father physique Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1941.

Advani, who was BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate in 2009 however misplaced to Congress-led coalition, is the longest-serving BJP president, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Union Home Minister.

The BJP stalwart was the chief of BJP’s motion supporting the development of Ram Temple, which was inaugurated by PM Modi on January 22 ending a wait of years, within the disputed web site of Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya in Nineteen Nineties.

His speech in favour of Ram Temple building is alleged to have provoked the demolition of Babri Masjid within the disputed web site by a mob.

He had final contested an election in 2014 from Gujarat’s Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, which is now Union Home Minister and BJP strongman Amit Shah’s parliamentary seat.