“LK Advani enters 100th year: BJP organizes prayers, PM Modi hails his legacy.” As veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani enters his 100th year on November 8, 2026, the party is celebrating the occasion with prayers, tributes and a special programme at its New Delhi headquarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tribute to Advani, describing him as a foundational architect of the BJP, a defender of democracy and one of the most influential figures in modern Indian politics. His extraordinary journey from an RSS pracharak to the country's Deputy Prime Minister represents a defining chapter in India's political history.
From Partition to the RSS: The Early Years
Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, then part of undivided India, Advani experienced the trauma of Partition in 1947, which forced his family to leave Sindh and relocate to India.
He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his youth and subsequently became a full-time pracharak, initially working in Rajasthan. This formative period shaped his ideological commitment, organizational discipline and understanding of grassroots political mobilization.
His political journey gathered momentum when he moved to Delhi and became associated with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, founded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee in 1951. Working alongside Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Advani emerged as an important organizational strategist and eventually became the Jana Sangh's last president.
Building the BJP: From Political Margins to National Power
Following the Emergency and the political realignment of 1977, the Jana Sangh became part of the Janata Party experiment. After that arrangement collapsed, the BJP was established in 1980, with Vajpayee as its first president and Advani playing a crucial role in shaping its organizational foundation.
Advani helped transform the BJP into a formidable national political force through cadre development, ideological consolidation and electoral mobilization.
Rath Yatra to Deputy Prime Minister: A Defining Rise
Advani's Somnath-to-Ayodhya Rath Yatra in 1990 transformed Indian electoral politics and brought the BJP's Ram Janmabhoomi movement to the centre of national debate.
His political milestones included:
· Party leadership: Served multiple terms as BJP president and strengthened its national organization.
· Home Minister: Held the position in the first Vajpayee-led NDA government from 1998 to 2004.
· Deputy Prime Minister: Served from 2002 to 2004, becoming one of the country's most powerful political leaders.
· Bharat Ratna: Received India's highest civilian honour in 2024 in recognition of his contributions to public life.
Modi's tribute particularly highlighted Advani's ideological conviction, intellectual sharpness and sustained contribution to nation-building.
How BJP Is Celebrating Advani's 100th Year
The BJP has planned a special celebration at its Central Office in New Delhi, coinciding with Advani's 99th birthday and the beginning of his centenary year.
The programme includes:
· A puja and havan beginning at 10 a.m., praying for his long life and well-being.
· A 20-minute commemorative video showcasing significant milestones and excerpts from his speeches.
· Addresses by BJP president Nitin Nabin, Advani's daughter Pratibha Advani and Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
· Participation by senior BJP leaders and party functionaries.
Modi also visited Advani's residence and paid his respects, reinforcing the significance of the occasion.
A Legacy That Transcends Generations
Advani's 100th-year milestone is both a personal celebration and a moment of political reflection. For the BJP, he represents the generation that built its organizational foundations, expanded its ideological influence and transformed it into a national governing force. His journey from Partition-displaced refugee to Deputy Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna recipient remains an extraordinary political story. As the party celebrates its patriarch, it is also reaffirming the continuity of its political legacy, connecting its formative years with its present leadership and future ambitions.
(With agency inputs)
