Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Lal Krishna Advani (LK Advani) celebrated his 98th birthday on Saturday, November 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to X to greet the former Deputy Prime Minister and hailed him as a “statesman with a huge vision”.
“Greetings to Shri LK Advani Ji on his birthday. A statesman gifted with tremendous vision and intellect, Advani Ji’s life was dedicated to enhancing India’s progress,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
“He has always embodied the spirit of selfless duty and steadfast principles. His contributions have left an indelible mark on India’s democratic and cultural milieu. May he be blessed with good health and long life,” PM Modi said.
Here are 5 key things you should know about LK Advani:
1. LK Advani was born in Karachi, in what is now Pakistan, to Kishenchand and Gyanidevi Advani on 8 November 1927. He is married to Kamla Advani and has two children, Pratibha and Jayant.
2. In the years 1936-1942 he studied at St. Patrick’s School in Karachi. He joined the RSS as a Swayamsevak in 1942 and joined the Dayaram Gidumal National College, Hyderabad, during the Quit India movement. LK Advani also served as a teacher at Model High School, Karachi, in 1944.
3. Advani scripted the rise of the BJP as a formidable force in national politics. He assisted Atal Bihari Vajpayee and held the position of secretary of the Delhi Jana Sangh. In 1970, LK Advani joined the Rajya Sabha. He was elected president of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1972.
4. Along with his close friend Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani founded the BJP in 1980 and contested his first Lok Sabha election in 1989 from a New Delhi seat.
5. LK Advani served as BJP chief for the longest time since its inception in 1980. He became BJP National President three times — 1986-1990; 1993-1998 and 2004-2005.
6. LK Advani had a parliamentary career of nearly three decades. He was first the Home Minister and later the Deputy Prime Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet (1999-2004). Between March 1977 and July 1979, Advani served as Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting.
7. Lal Krishna Advani was at the forefront of the Ram Temple movement in Ajodhya and started the Rath Yatra in the 1990s to demand the construction of a temple at Ram Janmabhoomi.
8. LK Advani was arrested in Bangalore during the Emergency and taken to Bangalore Central Jail along with other BJS members.
9. Advani received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 2024. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Bharat Ratna on LK Advani at a ceremony held at his residence in New Delhi on 31 March 2024. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award.
10. According to India Today, LK Advani was a film critic and loved chocolate, movies and cricket
