New Delhi, November 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday penned a detailed tribute to veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani as he entered his 100th year on November 8, recalling his contribution to several defining chapters of modern Indian politics.
In an article shared on X, Modi highlighted Advani’s journey from experiencing Partition to building the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and the BJP, his role during the Emergency, the Somnath-to-Ayodhya Rath Yatra and his service in various government positions.
“Today, 8th November, is a landmark day. Respected L.K. Advani Ji enters his hundredth year. On this special occasion, my greetings to him,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Modi also highlighted aspects of Advani’s personality beyond politics, including his interest in reading, culture and cinema, as well as his work as a writer. He noted that Advani’s birthday coincides with Diwali this year, a festival associated with Lord Shri Ram and the lighting of diyas.
Recalling Advani’s early life, Modi said he was born on November 8, 1927, on Dev Deepawali, and experienced the trauma of Partition in 1947, when he had to leave behind his familiar surroundings in Sindh. The Prime Minister said Advani rebuilt his life without bitterness and carried that resilience into his political journey.
“There are very few people whose lives have touched so many different chapters of modern India,” Modi observed.
He praised Advani’s ideological clarity and intellectual sharpness, saying these qualities were reflected in his speeches, writings and political contributions. He also credited the veteran leader with nurturing generations of party workers and building a strong organisational foundation around the principle of Nation First.
Recalling Advani’s partnership with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi described their decades-long association as an exceptional example of cooperation between two prominent political leaders.
“History shows that it is rare for two towering political leaders to work together for several decades, cooperating with each other without becoming competitors. Advani Ji and Atal Ji set a remarkable example. Together, they changed the course of Indian politics,” he wrote.
The Prime Minister also recalled Advani’s role in strengthening the party organisation in Delhi, his election as Chairman of the Delhi Metropolitan Council in 1967 and the beginning of his parliamentary career in 1970. He highlighted his contributions as a Member of Parliament, Leader of Opposition and Union Minister.
Sharing a personal memory from the 1991 Lok Sabha elections, Modi recalled helping prepare Advani’s election papers and assisting with his campaign in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. He said Advani maintained a strong connection with the constituency and repeatedly earned the trust of its voters.
Modi described the Emergency imposed in 1975 as a watershed moment in Advani’s life, praising his role in defending democracy and the Constitution. He also recalled Advani’s book A Prisoner’s Scrap-Book.
“The Emergency was a watershed moment in Advani Ji’s life. He was at the forefront of saving democracy and protecting the Constitution,” the Prime Minister wrote.
The article further highlighted Advani’s administrative contributions as Information and Broadcasting Minister in the Janata government and later as Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Modi credited him with strengthening India’s security apparatus and improving conditions for security personnel.
Recalling the Somnath-to-Ayodhya Rath Yatra, Modi described it as an iconic chapter in Advani’s political journey and said he felt privileged to have been involved from its planning to its execution.
The Prime Minister also recalled Advani’s simplicity and commitment to organisational work, citing an instance when he stayed in Junagadh for a month as an ordinary party worker to strengthen the organisation ahead of Assembly elections. He described him as a voracious reader and an enthusiastic follower of cinema and theatre.
Modi acknowledged the support of Advani’s wife, Kamla Advani, throughout his public life. He also recalled that the country honoured the veteran leader with the Bharat Ratna in 2024.
Concluding his tribute, Modi wished Advani good health and said he hoped the veteran leader would continue to inspire people.
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