LK Advani Thanks India with Folded Hands After Bharat Ratna Announcement, Leaders Call Him 'Inspiration' | WATCH

Many prominent politicians and other personalities, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, congratulated LK Advani and called him their ‘source of inspiration’ after PM Modi announced Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award for the country, for the BJP stalwart on Saturday.

The co-founder of the BJP who had played a pivotal role in the Ram Mandir movement in 1990s, greeted people and journalists with a smile and folded hands from his residence after the announcement. He was escorted by his family members.

PM MODI EXTENDS WISHES

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said BJP stalwart LK Advani challenged dynasty politics and connected India’s democracy to all-inclusive and nationalist ideologies. Addressing a rally in Odisha’s Sambalpur, Modi said the Bharat Ratna to Advani, the former deputy PM, is an honour to the ideology of ‘nation first’.

“Advani continuously fought to get democracy out of one party’s grasp and guided everyone. He challenged dynasty politics and connected India’s democracy to all-inclusive and nationalist ideologies,” he said.

INSPIRATION FOR ALL, SAYS RAJNATH SINGH

Expressing happiness, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to microblogging site X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “The decision to confer Bharat Ratna to the revered Lal Krishna Advani ji, an inspiration to all of us and a senior leader of the country, has brought great joy and happiness. He is a symbol of purity, dedication and determination in politics. The significant contribution that Advani ji has made to the country’s development and nation-building in various roles during his long public life is unforgettable and inspiring.”

DREW ENCOURAGEMENTS FROM HIM, SAYS KIREN RIJIJU

Describing Advani as his inspiration and mentor, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju took to X and wrote, “With profound respect I extend hearty congratulations Shri LK Advani ji on Govt’s decision to confer him “Bharat Ratna”. Advani ji has been inspiration to millions & guided ordinary party workers like me. As a young MP, I drew encouragement from him in performing my duty in the Lok Sabha.”

PLAYED IMPORTANT ROLE IN INDIA’S RECONSTRUCTION, SAYS GADKARI

An elated Nitin Gadkari wrote, “The announcement of Bharat Ratna to the country’s senior-most leader and our guide respected Lal Krishna Advani ji is very pleasant and joyful. Advani ji has played an important role in the reconstruction of the country after independence. Advani ji is a living example of purity in politics.”

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR COUNTLESS, SAYS UP CM

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also wished the veteran leader and wrote, “The decision to honor the Bharat Ratna to respected Shri Lal Krishna Advani, founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, source of inspiration for countless workers and former Deputy Prime Minister, is in recognition of his decades of service, commitment and unwavering commitment towards the integrity of the nation in public life and political career. This is going to honor his unique efforts in setting high standards of purity and morality. His tireless efforts towards national integration and cultural revival are a source of unique inspiration for all of us.”

ADVANI A NATIONAL HERO, SAYS ANURAG THAKUR

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur extended “sincerest wishes” to the party veteran on being conferred the highest civilian award and said it serves as a “poignant acknowledgment of a national hero’s life” devoted to the service of the nation. “This well-deserved Bharat Ratna, conferred under the leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, serves as a poignant acknowledgment of a national hero’s life devoted to the service of the nation,” Thakur wrote in a post on X.

“I extend my sincerest wishes to Shri L K Advani ji on being conferred with the prestigious Bharat Ratna for his decades-long service to the nation and the people,” he added. Thakur described Advani as a “stalwart statesman” and said his “monumental contributions” have left an indelible mark on the trajectory of India’s development, leaving an enduring legacy in the realms of politics and cultural unity.

A GREAT PERSONALITY AND AN IDEAL, SAYS RAMAN SINGH

Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Raman Singh shared his photograph with the veteran leader and wrote, “The announcement of the nation’s highest honour to such a great personality and ideal of all of us, respected Shri Lal Krishna Advani ji, who has dedicated his entire life to awakening the identity of India and Indian consciousness, is a great news. I respectfully salute Shri Advani ji with best wishes. Shri Advani ji’s work and thoughts inspire all of us to serve the nation. Advani ji, a dedicated son of Mother India, is the rightful owner of this honour.”

SET STANDARD OF AUTHENTICITY, SAYS SHAH FOR ADVANI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X and wrote, “Extremely happy with the announcement of awarding ‘Bharat Ratna’ to our senior leader and former Deputy Prime Minister of the country, respected Shri Lal Krishna Advani.”

“Advani ji has been dedicated to serving the country and his countrymen selflessly throughout his life. While holding various constitutional responsibilities like the Deputy Prime Minister of the country, he did unprecedented work for the security, unity and integrity of the country with his strong leadership. Advani ji is known as the politician who set the standards of authenticity in Indian politics. In his long public life, he fought tirelessly for the issues related to the country, culture and people. His immense contribution towards the party and ideology cannot be summed up in words,” he added.

STATESMAN-LIKE LEADERSHIP, SAYS FORMER VP NAIDU

The former vice president, who described Advani as “our mentor”, recalled the outstanding contributions of the former Deputy Prime Minister to the nation. “Shri Advani’s statesmanlike leadership, his contribution as an outstanding parliamentarian, the grace he brought to all positions he held, his role as a senior ideologue, his commitment to value-based politics, remain imprinted in public memory,” Venkaiah Naidu said.

CHIRAG PASWAN CONGRATULATES ADVANI

LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, whose party is a BJP ally, extended “heartiest” congratulations to Advani and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for the government conferring Bharat Ratna on the BJP stalwart. “Under the leadership of the country’s illustrious Prime Minister, Honorable Shri Narendra Modi, it has been announced to confer ‘Bharat Ratna’ on the top man of Indian politics, former Deputy Prime Minister, Honorable Shri LK Advani,” Chirag wrote on X.

MADE EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO COUNTRY, SAYS TDP CHIEF

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu also joined the prominent leaders in wishing Advani. In a social media post, he wrote, “Congratulations to LK Advani Ji on being awarded the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. Advani Ji has distinguished himself through exemplary hard work and devotion towards the nation. A scholar and statesman, he has made exceptional contributions to the country. I’ve had the privilege of working with him. His genuine warmth and affectionate nature leaves a lasting impression on everyone.”

CONTRIBUTION TO NATION-BUILDING INSPIRING, SAYS BIHAR CM

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke to BJP stalwart and former deputy PM LK Advani over the phone and congratulated him after his name was announced as a recipient of the Bharat Ratna. Noting that Advani’s contribution to nation-building is inspiring, Kumar said he had the opportunity to work with him in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

“The CM extended his best wishes to Advani-ji for the central government’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna award to him. He spoke to Advani-ji over the phone and extended his heartiest congratulations to him,” said a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). Kumar said Advani is one of the most respected statesmen in the country. “The contribution that Advani-ji has made to the country’s development and nation-building in various roles/capacities during his long public life is unforgettable and inspiring,” he said.

BS YEDIYURAPPA HAILS THE DECISION

Karnataka BJP and JD(S) leaders welcomed the Centre’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna on veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani. Former CM and BJP stalwart B S Yediyurappa hailed the decision.

“If there is a Ram Temple in Ayodhya today, then it is because of Lal Krishna Advani. Advani was present when Babri Masjid was demolished,” he told reporters here. Yediyurappa said he was fortunate to attend the public meeting Advani had addressed during the demolition of Babri Masjid.

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy extended his greetings to the veteran BJP leader. “Heartfelt congratulations to senior politician, BJP stalwart, and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, who has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Bharat Ratna,’ the country’s highest civilian award,” Kumaraswamy said on ‘X’.

INVALUABLE GUIDANCE FOR WORKERS, SAYS KISHAN REDDY

Welcoming the announcement of Bharat Ratna for the veteran BJP leader, Kishan Reddy said Advani’s public life, marked by transparency and values for decades, is guidance. He thanked PM Narendra Modi for announcing the award.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with him. His genuine warmth and affectionate nature leaves a lasting impression on everyone,” he said. Senior BJP leader in Telangana and former MLC N Ramchander Rao said Advani’s guidance was invaluable for “workers” like him.

Advani (96) was the Deputy Prime Minister in Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. Before retiring from active politics, the BJP leader had been a member of both Houses of Parliament between 1970 and 2019.

BJP’s longest-serving president, Advani, is credited with crafting the party’s rise through the 90s when it came to power for the first time as the head of coalition governments under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

(with PTI inputs)