Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 November 2026 penned a detailed tribute article honouring veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani as he entered his 100th year of life. Modi described Advani's journey as deeply intertwined with several defining chapters of modern India, from the trauma of Partition to the construction of the country's most prominent right-wing political force.

Modi's Personal Tribute on X

Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister announced the publication of his tribute article and extended birthday greetings to the veteran leader. 'Today, 8th November, is a landmark day. Respected L.K. Advani Ji enters his hundredth year. On this special occasion, my greetings to him,' Modi wrote in his post. He noted that Advani was born on 8 November 1927 on Dev Deepawali, and that his birthday this year coincides with Diwali — a timing the Prime Minister described as symbolically fitting.

From Partition to Parliament: Advani's Political Arc

Modi recalled that Advani experienced the trauma of Partition in 1947 as a young man, leaving behind his home in Sindh. Rather than allowing bitterness to define him, the Prime Minister wrote, Advani rebuilt his life from scratch — a resilience that would go on to characterise his decades in public service. Modi traced his journey through the building of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and subsequently the BJP, his election as Chairman of the Delhi Metropolitan Council in 1967, and the beginning of his parliamentary career in 1970.

The article also recalled Advani's administrative record — as Information and Broadcasting Minister in the Janata government, and later as Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister — crediting him with strengthening India's security apparatus and improving conditions for security personnel.

Advani and Vajpayee: A Rare Political Partnership

One of the most prominent sections of Modi's tribute was dedicated to Advani's decades-long association with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Modi described their bond as a rare example of two towering political figures working in tandem without becoming rivals. 'History shows that it is rare for two towering political leaders to work together for several decades, cooperating with each other without becoming competitors. Advani Ji and Atal Ji set a remarkable example. Together, they changed the course of Indian politics,' the Prime Minister wrote.

Emergency, Rath Yatra and Organisational Legacy

Modi reserved particular praise for Advani's role during the Emergency imposed in 1975, calling it a watershed moment in his political life. 'He was at the forefront of saving democracy and protecting the Constitution,' the Prime Minister wrote, also citing Advani's book 'A Prisoner's Scrap-Book' as a testament to that period. The Prime Minister also recalled the iconic Somnath-to-Ayodhya Rath Yatra, describing it as a defining moment in Advani's political journey and noting that he had been personally involved from its planning stage to execution.

Sharing a personal memory, Modi recalled helping prepare Advani's election papers and assisting with his campaign in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, during the 1991 Lok Sabha elections. He noted that Advani spent a month in Junagadh as an ordinary party worker ahead of Assembly elections — a reflection, Modi wrote, of the veteran leader's commitment to grassroots organisation.

Beyond Politics: Reader, Critic and Bharat Ratna

Modi also highlighted dimensions of Advani's personality beyond the political arena, describing him as a voracious reader, an enthusiastic follower of cinema and theatre, and a keen film critic. He acknowledged the contribution of Advani's wife, Kamla Advani, calling her a constant source of strength throughout his public life. The article concluded by noting that the people of India honoured Advani with the Bharat Ratna in 2024 in recognition of his national contribution. 'As Advani Ji enters the hundredth year of his life, I pray that he be blessed with good health and that he continues to inspire us all as he has always done,' Modi wrote.