LK Advani at 100: Ramdev credits him for building BJP from block level up
Synopsis
On LK Advani's 100th birthday, Baba Ramdev credited the veteran BJP leader with building the party's grassroots structure — province by province, block by block — calling it a 'monumental' contribution that enabled the BJP's rise to power. The remarks in Haridwar came alongside praise for PM Modi's celebration of national festivals and CM Yogi Adityanath's Deepotsav in Ayodhya.
Key Takeaways
Baba Ramdev paid tribute to LK Advani on his 100th birthday on 8 November 2026 in Haridwar .
Ramdev credited Advani with building the BJP's organisational structure from province level down to block and tehsil level.
He described Advani's political contribution as being of a 'monumental scale' and praised his lifelong health discipline.
Ramdev also praised PM Narendra Modi for 'elevating the pride' of national festivals including Diwali and Republic Day .
The yoga guru highlighted the 10th Deepotsav in Ayodhya , where more than 30 lakh diyas were lit across 56 ghats , crediting CM Yogi Adityanath for its success.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev paid tribute to veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani on the occasion of Advani's 100th birthday on Sunday, 8 November 2026, crediting the former Deputy Prime Minister with laying the BJP's organisational foundation — from provinces and districts down to blocks and tehsils — which Ramdev said ultimately enabled the party's rise to national power.
Ramdev on Advani's Political Legacy
Speaking to reporters in Haridwar, Baba Ramdev described Advani's contribution as being of 'a monumental scale.' He cited two enduring inspirations from Advani's life: disciplined control over his diet and a lifetime of relentless hard work.
'Advani Ji put in immense effort to build the BJP organisation in every province, every district, every tehsil, and even down to the block level. His political contribution was of a monumental scale,' Ramdev said. He also noted that Advani 'has set an ideal example of health by leading life without being affected by any major disease.'
Ramdev further remarked that Advani lived by the resolution: 'Whether one remains or not, may his glory remain immortal.' The yoga guru stressed that an individual's ultimate purpose is not merely ascending to power, but taking society forward collectively — a principle he attributed to Advani's life's work.
Advani's Organisational Contribution to the BJP
Advani, who turns 100 on this occasion, is widely regarded as one of the principal architects of the BJP's national presence. He served as Deputy Prime Minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and led the party's organisational expansion across India through the 1980s and 1990s. His Ram Rath Yatra of 1990 is considered a defining moment in the BJP's political consolidation. This centenary birthday has prompted tributes from political figures across party lines.
Ramdev Praises PM Modi and Chief Minister Yogi
Beyond his tribute to Advani, Baba Ramdev also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he described as 'elevating the pride' of national festivals. 'From Holi, Diwali, Janmashtami, and Ram Navami to Republic Day or Independence Day, he has elevated the pride of our national festivals. He has raised the honour of Sanatan,' Ramdev said.
Ramdev commended Modi for celebrating Diwali with soldiers stationed far from their families, saying the Prime Minister 'lives by the values of Sanatan Dharma, the spirit of Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, and Lord Shiva, as well as swears by the nation's democracy and Constitution.'
The yoga guru also highlighted the 10th Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, calling it 'a grand symbol of the pride of Sanatan.' He stated that more than 30 lakh diyas were lit across 56 ghats in the state. Crediting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the event's success, Ramdev said: 'Erasing all marks of slavery, Yogi Adityanath Ji Maharaj is crafting new standards of development, fearlessness, and social harmony.'
What the Tributes Signal
The centenary of Advani's birth arrives at a moment when the BJP's first generation of mass organisers is being formally commemorated. Ramdev's remarks reinforce a narrative that the party's current dominance is built on decades of grassroots work initiated by leaders like Advani — a framing that serves both historical memory and present-day political identity. As the BJP continues to expand its organisational machinery into new states, Advani's model of booth-level and block-level organisation remains a frequently cited template within party circles.
Point of View
The narrative insulates the party's success from being seen as the achievement of any single leader. Notably, Advani himself has been largely sidelined from active BJP politics in recent years, making centenary tributes a carefully managed exercise in historical appropriation. The pivot to Modi and Yogi within the same remarks underscores how the party's public voice consistently folds legacy figures into a living chain of Hindutva continuity. What goes unexamined is whether the grassroots model Advani pioneered has evolved — or whether the party's current electoral machinery has fundamentally different drivers.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is LK Advani's 100th birthday significant?
LK Advani turns 100 on 8 November 2026, marking a centenary for one of the BJP's most consequential founding figures. As former Deputy Prime Minister and the architect of the party's national expansion in the 1980s and 1990s, his birthday has drawn tributes from leaders across the political spectrum.
What did Baba Ramdev say about LK Advani?
Ramdev credited Advani with building the BJP's organisational structure at every level — province, district, tehsil, and block — calling his political contribution 'monumental.' He also praised Advani's lifelong dietary discipline and health as an example for others.
What is the Deepotsav in Ayodhya that Ramdev mentioned?
Deepotsav is an annual Diwali celebration held in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, organised by the state government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The 10th edition saw more than 30 lakh diyas lit across 56 ghats, which Ramdev called 'a grand symbol of the pride of Sanatan.'
What did Ramdev say about Prime Minister Modi?
Ramdev praised PM Modi for elevating the significance of national and religious festivals including Holi, Diwali, Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Republic Day, and Independence Day. He also appreciated Modi for celebrating Diwali with soldiers stationed away from their families.
Where did Baba Ramdev make these remarks?
Baba Ramdev made these remarks while speaking to reporters in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on 8 November 2026, on the occasion of LK Advani's 100th birthday.
