Makhanlal Sarkar, one of the oldest and earliest grassroots workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, on Thursday, 17 September 2026, extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising his ability to navigate challenges at home and abroad across more than a decade in power. The 98-year-old BJP veteran, speaking from Kolkata, used the occasion to renew his appeal for industrial development in Bengal.

Sarkar's Birthday Message to PM Modi

Sarkar conveyed warm greetings to the Prime Minister, highlighting what he described as an unbroken forward momentum in the face of successive challenges. “There will certainly be greetings, especially for the work he has been doing. I sincerely extend my greetings to him for the way he has overcome one challenge after another, whether in the international arena or in dealing with internal challenges, and has continued to move forward,” he said.

Reflecting on Prime Minister Modi’s political career, Sarkar pointed to his 13 years as Chief Minister of Gujarat and his ongoing tenure of 12 years as Prime Minister. He also acknowledged speculation about a potential contest in the 2029 elections. “I do not know whether he will contest the elections in 2029. If he does, it will be beneficial for India,” Sarkar said.

The 'Sonar Bangla' Appeal Renewed

Sarkar also used the birthday message to reiterate a longstanding appeal linked to West Bengal’s development. He recalled raising six demands for 'Sonar Bangla' — a vision of a prosperous Bengal — that BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had earlier articulated. “If Modi ji takes responsibility for the industrial development of Bengal, he will fulfil the dream of Sonar Bangla within three years. Through this message of greetings, I am once again reminding him of that,” Sarkar said.

He also invoked the legacy of BJP founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, expressing hope that his vision would eventually be realised. “I hope to fulfil the dream of Syama Prasad Mookerjee. That will be my appeal. I wish him a long life. May he remain healthy and continue to work for the country,” he added.

A Living Link to BJP's Origins

At 98, Sarkar represents a rare living connection between post-Independence nationalism and the BJP’s organisational growth in eastern India. In 1952, he was arrested in Kashmir while accompanying Mookerjee during the movement to hoist the Indian Tricolour there. After the BJP’s formation in 1980, he was appointed organisational coordinator for West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling districts, enrolling nearly 10,000 members within a year. From 1981, he served continuously for seven years as district president — an exceptionally long tenure at a time when BJP leaders rarely held the same organisational post for more than two years.

PM Modi's Earlier Tribute to Sarkar

The relationship between the two men was publicly acknowledged earlier this year. During the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari as Chief Minister of West Bengal in May, Prime Minister Modi met Sarkar, presented him with a shawl, and took his blessings. Modi subsequently shared photographs of the meeting and described Sarkar as a “motivating figure” who had inspired people from different walks of life to join the party. Notably, that swearing-in marked the first-ever BJP government to take power in West Bengal, a milestone Modi himself connected to Mookerjee’s legacy.

As PM Modi marks another birthday, the greetings from a 98-year-old who has outlived multiple party formations and witnessed India’s political evolution across seven decades serve as a reminder of the deep organisational roots the BJP has built in states where it once barely had a foothold.