The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) marked a significant milestone in the life of veteran leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani with special prayers and celebrations at its headquarters in New Delhi on November 8. The occasion marked Advani’s 99th birthday and his entry into the 100th year of his life, with senior party leaders recalling his contribution to Indian politics and the growth of the BJP.
Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, present-day Pakistan, Advani is regarded as one of the key architects of the BJP’s rise as a major political force in the country. His political journey, spanning several decades, includes his involvement in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the formation and expansion of the BJP, the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and his tenure in the Union government.
The birthday celebrations coincided with Diwali. The BJP organised a special puja and havan at its central office, attended by party president Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Advani’s daughter Pratibha Advani and several other senior leaders.
The programme began at 10 am with religious ceremonies, followed by the screening of a special 20-minute video presentation featuring important moments from Advani’s political career, prominent speeches and his contribution to strengthening the party organisation. Senior leaders also shared their experiences and recalled his influence on the BJP’s development over the years.
The party said the celebration was organised to recognise Advani’s dedication to public service, his organisational work and his contribution to national politics. It also reiterated its commitment to preserving the veteran leader’s legacy and carrying forward the values associated with his political journey.
Advani’s role in building the BJP
Advani’s political career is closely linked to the transformation of the BJP from a relatively small political organisation into one of India’s largest political parties.
He began his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1942 and later became actively involved in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, founded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee in 1951. Following the formation of the BJP in 1980, Advani emerged as one of its most influential leaders and played a major role in expanding its organisational reach.
He served as the BJP president for three terms between 1986 and 2005. During this period, the party expanded its political presence across several states and gradually established itself as a major contender in national elections.
One of the defining episodes of Advani’s political career was the Somnath-to-Ayodhya Rath Yatra in 1990. The campaign, organised in support of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, brought the Ayodhya dispute to the centre of national political discussions and significantly influenced the BJP’s electoral growth.
The Rath Yatra remains an important and controversial chapter in India’s political history. It played a major role in changing the country’s political landscape and strengthening the BJP’s support base.
From Partition to the highest political office
Advani’s early life was shaped by the Partition of India in 1947. Born and raised in Sindh, he moved to India following Partition and began rebuilding his life in a new country.
His political journey subsequently took him through several important phases of Indian democracy, including the Emergency imposed between 1975 and 1977. During this period, Advani was among the opposition leaders who faced imprisonment under the then Congress government.
After the Emergency, he became part of the Janata Party government and later returned to national politics through the BJP.
Advani held several important positions during his career. He served as Union Home Minister from 1998 to 2004 and later became Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004 under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
His political partnership with Vajpayee played a significant role in the BJP’s expansion during the 1990s. The two leaders worked together to build the party’s national presence and establish the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as a major political coalition.
Advani also served as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and remained an influential figure in the party for several decades.
Bharat Ratna honour recognises his contribution
In 2024, Advani was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in recognition of his contribution to public life and Indian politics. The honour acknowledged his decades-long political career and role in shaping the country’s political landscape.
Several BJP leaders extended birthday wishes and paid tribute to the veteran politician. Party president Nitin Nabin recalled Advani’s organisational contribution and described his life and political journey as an inspiration for generations of party workers. Union Minister Amit Shah also praised his role in strengthening the BJP and his service to the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Advani at his residence to extend birthday greetings. He also highlighted the veteran leader’s contribution to the Jana Sangh, the BJP and the country’s democratic journey.
As Advani enters his 100th year, the celebrations reflect his lasting influence on the BJP and the evolution of Indian politics. From his early years in the Jana Sangh to his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister, his career has covered several defining moments in the country’s political history.
