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LK Advani gets Bharat Ratna: PM Modi says ‘very emotional moment for me’
PM Modi, while announcing the honour for the veteran, said LK Advani's role in the development of India is monumental.
New Delhi: Lal Krishna Advani, the BJP stalwart who catapulted the party into national reckoning with his Rath Yatra for Ayodhya's Ram Temple in the early 1990s, has been conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.
"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," PM Narendra Modi wrote on X.
PM Modi, while announcing the honour for the veteran, said LK Advani's role in the development of India is monumental. He called him one of the most respected statesmen of India.
“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 I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights,” he said.
Also read: 'BJP agenda complete': BRS leader K Kavitha after Bharat Ratna to LK Advani
"Advani Ji’s decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence. 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.
Also read: Bharat Ratna to LK Advani: Politician who catapulted BJP to national reckoning
Who is LK Advani?
Born in Karachi, LK Advani migrated to India after the Partition. He settled down in Bombay. He had joined the RSS in 1941 at the age of fourteen.
In 1951, he became a member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which was founded by BJP icon Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The Jana Sangh was the political precursor to the BJP.
Advani became the member of the Rajya Sabha for the first time in 1970. He served four RS terms till 1989.
He first became the minister for information and broadcasting and leader of the house in Rajya Sabha in 1977, following the Janata Party's victory in the general elections.
He is one of the founding members of the BJP. He served as the president of the party three times.
In 1989, he became a Lok Sabha member for the first time.
When the Atal Bihari Vajpayee formed a government in 1999, Advani served as the minister of home affairs and the deputy prime minister.
In 2015, LK Advani was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour.
LK Advani's role in BJP's rise
In 1990, LK Advani embarked on Ram Rath Yatra over the BJP's demand for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The procession began from Somnath in Gujarat and reached Ayodhya. His Rath Yatra received popular support. In the 1991 general elections, from a minor played in the national politics, the BJP became the second largest party in the parliament after the Congress.
How politicians reacted to Bharat Ratna to LK Advani
BJP leader Brajesh Pathak congratulated the BJP leader.
"We all extended heartiest congratulations to Lal Krishna Advani. The kind of work that has been done in the state and across the country under his leadership...He took the country to new heights during his tenure. I also express gratitude to the PM for announcing Bharat Ratna for him," he told ANI.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, however, claimed the BJP misbehaved with him.
"Greetings to him. BJP and PM Modi thought of LK Advani very late. He has been a tall leader of their party. The position that the BJP is in today - its foundation was laid by LK Advani...The way in which the BJP behaved with him was not good but now that he is being awarded the Bharat Ratna, best wishes to him," he said.
BRS MLC K Kavitha said the BJP's agenda seems to be completed with Bharat Ratna to LK Advani.
"Many congratulations to Lal Krishna Advani for being conferred Bharat Ratna...This is good that the Ram temple was also built and Lal Krishna Advani has been conferred Bharat Ratna. BJP's agenda seems to be being completed," he said.
