Bharat Ratna LK Advani: The Political Stalwart Who Gave Rise To BJP

[{"selector":"#anim-1dcd2d9d-7a0b-4df4-8c3b-59fade66cdcf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.00528156274571%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Born in Karachi, LK Advani migrated to India after the Partition

[{"selector":"#anim-9749a721-8585-442c-a9b1-676aa02a7112 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.130981330816027%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] He had joined the RSS in 1941 at the age of fourteen

[{"selector":"#anim-6fc55c19-b984-41d4-81a1-27d1b6f60dcf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(51.31944383443033%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] In 1951, he became a member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (predecessor to BJP), which was founded by BJP icon Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

[{"selector":"#anim-6f6d1d33-499e-4d5c-a2ff-9dde0929d837 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Advani became the member of the Rajya Sabha for the first time in 1970. He served four RS terms till 1989.

[{"selector":"#anim-485247f8-d140-4003-96d8-1526423ea818 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(49.43750000032426%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] He is one of the founding members of the BJP. He served as the president of the party three times.

[{"selector":"#anim-ba4c5068-a8f5-48e8-bcd5-aeb0e9132f31 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] In 1989, he became a Lok Sabha member for the first time.

[{"selector":"#anim-feeb80ed-8a75-4a2a-b1a9-9fc80e9bff22 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(42.54687495725785%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's regime in 1999, Advani served as the minister of home affairs and the deputy prime minister.

[{"selector":"#anim-533ba1af-033e-4018-9c83-e059e00f265a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-53.89112905961334%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] In 2015, LK Advani was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour.

[{"selector":"#anim-8b158c99-dd42-4596-85b5-fe78ef4144a7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(44.500114857449184%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] In 1990, LK Advani embarked on Ram Rath Yatra over the BJP's demand for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya

[{"selector":"#anim-8b0ffaa1-2d6e-4827-b19a-dbfdb54b1b6a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.828381025140388%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] His Rath Yatra received popular support. In the 1991 general elections, BJP became the second largest party in the parliament after the Congress.