New Delhi: Lal Krishna Advani, the BJP stalwart who catapulted the occasion into nationwide reckoning along with his Rath Yatra for Ayodhya’s Ram Temple within the early Nineteen Nineties, 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, whereas asserting the honour for the veteran, stated LK Advani’s position within the growth of India is monumental. He known as him one of the revered 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 stated.

“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 on the age of fourteen.

In 1951, he grew to become a member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which was based by BJP icon Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The Jana Sangh was the political precursor to the BJP.

Advani grew to become the member of the Rajya Sabha for the primary time in 1970. He served 4 RS phrases until 1989.

He first grew to become the minister for data and broadcasting and chief of the home in Rajya Sabha in 1977, following the Janata Party’s victory within the basic elections.

He is without doubt one of the founding members of the BJP. He served because the president of the occasion thrice.

In 1989, he grew to become a Lok Sabha member for the primary time.

When the Atal Bihari Vajpayee shaped a authorities in 1999, Advani served because the minister of dwelling 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 position in BJP’s rise

In 1990, LK Advani launched into Ram Rath Yatra over the BJP’s demand for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The procession started from Somnath in Gujarat and reached Ayodhya. His Rath Yatra acquired well-liked help. In the 1991 basic elections, from a minor performed within the nationwide politics, the BJP grew to become the second largest occasion within the parliament after the Congress.

How politicians reacted to Bharat Ratna to LK Advani

BJP chief Brajesh Pathak congratulated the BJP chief.

“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 instructed ANI.

Congress chief Sandeep Dikshit, nonetheless, 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 stated.

BRS MLC Ok Kavitha stated the BJP’s agenda appears to be accomplished 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 stated.