LK Advani turns 100: BJP holds special event at party HQ on Diwali
Synopsis
LK Advani turns 100 on Diwali — and the BJP marked the rare centenary with a formal ceremony at its New Delhi headquarters, complete with puja, havan, and a curated video tribute. For a party in national power, the event is a deliberate act of institutional memory-keeping, anchoring its present dominance to the man whose 1990 Rath Yatra rewrote Indian politics.
Key Takeaways
The BJP held a special centenary celebration for LK Advani at its Central Office, New Delhi on 8 November 2026 , coinciding with Diwali .
The programme featured a puja and havan at 10 am and a 20-minute video presentation on Advani's life and speeches.
Attendees included BJP National President Nitin Nabin , Advani's daughter Pratibha Advani , and Union Minister Piyush Goyal .
Advani, born on 8 November 1927 in Karachi , served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004 and was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024 .
His Ram Rath Yatra of 1990 is credited with transforming the BJP into a major national political force.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, 8 November 2026, organised a special celebration at its Central Office in New Delhi to mark the 100th birth anniversary of veteran leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, who was born on 8 November 1927 in Karachi (present-day Pakistan). The occasion coincided with Diwali, lending added significance to the milestone.
Programme Details
The event commenced at 10 am with a puja and havan, followed by a specially curated 20-minute video presentation featuring significant moments from Advani's life and excerpts from some of his most prominent speeches. The programme was attended by BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Advani's daughter Pratibha Advani, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal, along with several other senior party leaders.
Pratibha Advani and Goyal addressed the gathering, sharing reflections on the veteran leader's life and enduring legacy. BJP National President Nitin Nabin then spoke at length about Advani's contributions to the nation and the party, emphasising his role in shaping the organisation over several decades.
What BJP Said
The BJP announced the event on its official X handle, describing it as a commemoration of 'Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Shri Lal Krishna Advani Ji's 100th birth anniversary and the occasion of Diwali Pavan Diwas.' The party stated it has always respected the contributions, ideas, and dedicated service of its senior leaders and guiding figures.
Advani's Political Journey
Born in Karachi on 8 November 1927, Advani is widely regarded as one of the most consequential figures in BJP's history. He served as party president on multiple occasions and is credited with transforming the BJP from a relatively small political force into a major national organisation.
His Ram Rath Yatra of 1990 is considered a defining moment in modern Indian politics, dramatically expanding the BJP's electoral reach and reshaping the country's political landscape. He served as Home Minister and subsequently as Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004 under then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Awards and Recognition
In 2024, Advani was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in recognition of his decades of public service. He had earlier received the Padma Vibhushan in 2015. He remains a senior and respected figure within the BJP's political history.
Sunday's centenary celebration underscores the party's intent to publicly reaffirm its founding ideological roots at a time when it continues to hold national power.
Point of View
And the BJP's decision to mark it with a formal headquarters event — rather than a low-key private gathering — signals something deliberate. Advani's legacy is complicated for the current party establishment: he was the architect of the Hindu nationalist electoral coalition that Modi inherited, yet was quietly sidelined in the post-2014 order. Celebrating his hundredth publicly is partly institutional honour, partly a reminder to the cadre of continuity. What goes unsaid is as telling as what does: the party's framing focuses on organisation-building and public service, not the ideological controversies that defined his peak years.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is LK Advani's 100th birthday significant?
LK Advani turns 100 on 8 November 2026, making him one of the few major Indian political figures to reach a centenary. He is a Bharat Ratna recipient, former Deputy Prime Minister, and the BJP leader widely credited with the Ram Rath Yatra of 1990 that reshaped Indian electoral politics.
What events were held to celebrate LK Advani's centenary?
The BJP organised a special programme at its Central Office in New Delhi on 8 November 2026, beginning with a puja and havan at 10 am, followed by a 20-minute video tribute to Advani's life. BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Advani's daughter Pratibha Advani, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the gathering.
What awards has LK Advani received?
LK Advani was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2024. He had earlier received the Padma Vibhushan in 2015, in recognition of his decades of contributions to public life and the Indian political system.
What is LK Advani's most significant political contribution?
Advani's Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 is widely regarded as his most consequential political act, dramatically expanding the BJP's national reach. He also served as Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004 under PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and held multiple terms as BJP national president.
Who is BJP National President Nitin Nabin?
Nitin Nabin is the current national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party and was among the key speakers at the LK Advani centenary event at the BJP Central Office in New Delhi on 8 November 2026.
