LK Advani to be conferred Bharat Ratna

New Delhi: Lal Krishna Advani, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Union Home Minister, is being conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour.

Advani, a former Lok Sabha MP from Gandhinagar, played a pivotal role in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and is seen as one of the drivers in the ascent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in national politics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, taking to X, stated, “I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honor."

The Prime Minister further asserted that Advani is one of the most respected statesmen of our times, and his contribution to the development of India is "monumental."

“Advani's decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence’, said the Prime Minister. He added, “I will always consider it my privilege that I got countless opportunities to interact with him and learn from him."

Advani, 96, is known for his involvement with the grassroots. Notably, he is the longest-serving Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and was the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP during the 2009 general election.

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