BJP veteran LK Advani, who turned 90, was greeted on his birthday by political leaders across party lines on Wednesday.
Advani, a former Deputy Prime Minister, started his day by hosting 90 blind children at his residence for breakfast.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his greetings to LK Advani in a series of tweets.
“Birthday greetings to respected Advani Ji. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life,” he said.
Birthday greetings to respected Advani Ji. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 8, 2017
PM Modi further wrote, “Advani is a political stalwart” and we BJP “karyakartas” are fortunate to receive the “guidance of Advani Ji”. His efforts have contributed richly to the building of BJP.”
Advani Ji is a political stalwart, a leader who has distinguished himself through hardwork and dedication towards our nation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 8, 2017
We BJP Karyakartas are fortunate to always receive the guidance of Advani Ji. His efforts have contributed richly to the building of BJP.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 8, 2017
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited Advani’s residence to greet him.
“Visited residence of former Dy. PM, Hon’ble Shri L.K. Advani ji and conveyed my best wishes on his Birthday. May god bless him and I wish him good health and a very meaningful long life,” Naidu said in a series of tweets.
May god bless him and I wish him good health and a very meaningful long life. pic.twitter.com/87nFJbW71L
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) November 8, 2017
Former President Pranab Mukherjee also extended his “warm birthday greetings.”
“May you be blessed with good health and many more years in service to the nation,” he tweeted.
Warm birthday greetings to Shri LK Advaniji. May you be blessed with good health and many more years in service to the nation.
— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) November 8, 2017
Lalu Prasad took a veiled dig at Modi in his congratulatory tweet, saying Advani should not mind his disciple turning “hostile.”
“Warm Birthday greetings to Advani Ji! Never mind if any disciple turns hostile. May God bless you more cheerful, healthy, long & successful life ahead!”
Warm Birthday greetings to Advani Ji! Never mind if any disciple turns hostile. May God bless you more cheerful, healthy, long & successful life ahead!
— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) November 8, 2017
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and BJP General Secretary, Organisation, Ramlal were among those who visited Advani’s residence at Prithviraj Road in central Delhi to wish him.
“Wishing Sh Advani ji on his birthday. A great leader himself and a mentor to many of us. May God grant him a long and healthy life to guide the nation,” Ananth Kumar tweeted and shared a photograph of him touching Advani’s feet.
Wishing Sh Advani ji on his birthday. A great leader himself and a mentor to many of us. May God grant him a long and healthy life to guide the nation. pic.twitter.com/CFUOHR7XAu
— Ananthkumar (@AnanthKumar_BJP) November 8, 2017
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also wished LK Advani on Twitter and said, “Happy Birthday, Advani ji. Have a lovely day.”
Happy Birthday, Advani ji. Have a lovely day.
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 8, 2017
“Wishing a very happy birthday to Lal Krishna Advani Ji. Health and happiness for a long life,” said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a tweet.
Wishing a very happy birthday to Lal Krishna Advani Ji. Health and happiness for a long life
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 8, 2017
BJP Chief Ministers including Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Raman Singh (Chhattisgarh), and Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Madhya Pradesh) were among those who greeted Advani.