New Delhi, November 2026 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will organise a special programme at its Central Office in New Delhi on Sunday to mark the 100th birth anniversary of veteran party leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna Lal Krishna Advani.
The celebrations, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Diwali, will be attended by BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Advani's daughter Pratibha Advani, Union Minister and senior party leader Piyush Goyal, along with several other prominent leaders of the party.
Announcing the programme on its official X handle, the BJP said the event would commemorate the life and legacy of Advani, his dedication to the nation, his contribution to strengthening the party organisation and his decades-long journey in public service.
According to the schedule released by the party, the programme will commence at 10 am with a puja and havan. This will be followed by a special 20-minute video presentation showcasing important milestones in Advani's political and personal journey, along with excerpts from some of his prominent speeches.
Pratibha Advani and Union Minister Piyush Goyal will address the gathering and share their perspectives on the veteran leader's contributions and legacy. BJP National President Nitin Nabin will also address the programme, highlighting Advani's role in shaping the party and strengthening its organisational structure over several decades.
In its announcement, the BJP reiterated that it has consistently recognised the contributions, ideas and dedicated service of its senior leaders, guiding figures and distinguished personalities.
Advani's journey in Indian politics
Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, now in Pakistan, LK Advani is among the most influential leaders in the history of the BJP and played a central role in its emergence as a major national political force.
Advani served as BJP president on multiple occasions and was instrumental in expanding the party's organisational network across the country. His leadership helped transform the BJP from a relatively small political organisation into one of India's principal political parties.
One of the defining moments of his political career was the nationwide Ram Rath Yatra in 1990. The campaign became a major turning point in Indian politics and significantly expanded the BJP's political presence across several states.
Advani also played an important role in the party's rise during the 1990s and its participation in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
He served as India's Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004. During his long political career, he also held several important ministerial responsibilities, including the portfolio of Union Home Minister.
Conferred Bharat Ratna in 2024
In recognition of his decades of contribution to public life and Indian politics, Advani was conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, in 2024. He had earlier received the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.
His political journey has been closely associated with the BJP's organisational development, electoral expansion and evolution into a major national political force.
The centenary celebrations at the BJP headquarters are expected to bring together senior leaders and party functionaries to recall his contributions to the organisation and the country.
Advani continues to be regarded as one of the senior-most figures in the BJP, with his political career forming an important chapter in the history of contemporary Indian politics.
