JOIN USBJP patriarch L K Advani on Saturday turned 87. Though isolated in this dispensation of Narendra Modi-Amit Shah, the veteran leader was kept busy at his residence throughout the day by visitors, led by the prime minister himself and his other cabinet colleagues, wanting to convey their birthday greetings.
Modi’s wishes to his one-time mentor Advani were filled with admiration. Describing him as “one of the tallest personalities in public life” with “unparalleled intellect and insight”, Modi, who returned to the capital after his visit to the home constituency of Varanasi, drove down to 30 Prithiviraj Road residence to personally convey his birthday wishes to the tall BJP leader. Other senior leaders such as Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Madhya Pradesh CM Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan and Shahnawaz Hussain had also called on him.
Advani was born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi. Before his visit, Modi posted two tweets: “Wishing Advani ji a very happy birthday. May he be blessed with long life & good health.” The second one said, “His unparalleled intellect & insight make Advani ji one of the tallest personalities in public life. All of us have learnt a lot from him.”
“We all have met him, wished him and sought his blessings on his Birthday. He (L K Advani) has a bigger role in giving direction to not only BJP but politics of nation,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters.
Advani has been forced into hibernation and is no longer consulted on crucial government and party matters since he was upset over Modi’s becoming prime ministerial candidate at the party’s Goa conclave last May. He had resigned from his party posts to protest Modi’s elevation but took it back after persuasion from senior leaders.
After Amit Shah came to power, Advani and his contemporary MM Joshi were dropped from all party posts in line with Modi’s formula of keeping out leaders of the age of 75 and above. The BJP, however, created a new guiding body “Margdarshak Mandal” to park Advani.”