Advani fought to free Indian democracy from one party, one family: PM Modi

BJP stalwart L.K. Advani, who was conferred the Bharat Ratna on Saturday, had challenged the dynastic ideology and linked India’s democracy with the all-inclusive and nationalist ideology, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he took a veiled dig at the Congress party.

Modi said the Bharat Ratna to the former deputy prime minister was an honour to the ideology of 'nation first' and a recognition to the struggles of crores of BJP workers.

"He (Advani) continuously fought to free India's democracy from the prison of one party and one family. He guided everyone and challenged 'pariwarwaadi vichardhara' (Dyanastic ideology) and linked India's democracy with the all-inclusive and nationalist ideology,” the prime minister said, addressing a public meeting in Odisha’s Sambalpur.

"This is a recognition to the party's ideologies and struggle of crores of party workers. This is also an honour to the party and its workers which has became the world's largest party from a two-MP party," he said.

Earlier in the day, while announcing India’s highest civilian award to Advani, Modi said the veteran leader’s contribution to the development of the country is monumental.

“Advani Ji’s decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence. The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me,” Modi said in a post on X.

Advani, 96, is the seventh person to be awarded the Bharat Ratna since the Modi government came to power at the Centre in 2014. Those who won the award in the last 10 years included Karpoori Thakur, Madan Mohan Malviya, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pranab Mukherjee, Bhupen Hazarika, and Nanaji Deshmukh. 

Advani, in a statement, said he receives the award with atmost humility and recalled his long association with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. 

"With utmost humility and gratitude, I accept the 'Bharat Ratna' that has been conferred on me today. It is not only an honour for me as a person, but also for the ideals and principles that I strove to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability,” he said.