NATIONAL : Senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday.

Taking to the social media platform, PM Modi said the former Union Minister’s contribution to the development of India is monumental.

“I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights,” PM posted on X.

Born in Karachi, present-day Pakistan, on November 8, 1927, Advani through the years, had served as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the longest period since its inception in 1980. Capping a parliamentary career of nearly three decades, he was first the Home Minister and, later, the Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1999-2004). (with inputs from agency)