LK Advani celebrates birthday with kids

New Delhi: BJP veteran L.K. Advani turned 90 on Wednesday and celebrated his birthday with visually-challenged children. Many political leaders tweeted their wishes while others visited the BJP veteran’s Prithiviraj Road residence to wish the former deputy Prime Minister of the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to his Prithviraj Road residence in the evening and greeted him. He spent nearly 15 minutes with the BJP patriarch.

The Prime Minister had earlier tweeted, “Birthday greetings to respected Advaniji. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life.... Advaniji is a political stalwart, a leader who has distinguished himself through hardwork and dedication towards our nation....We BJP Karyakartas are fortunate to always receive the guidance of Advani Ji. His efforts have contributed richly to the building of BJP.” Mr Modi also sent a personal letter to Mr Advani.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also wished Mr Advani on Twitter saying, “Happy Birthday, Advani ji. Have a lovely day.”

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Central ministers including Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Ravishankar Prasad, Hardeep Singh Puri, Vijay Goyal, rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, BJD leader Baijayant Jay Panda, Congress’s Kapil Sibal, Dr Karan Singh and Rajiv Shukla, were among those who visited Mr Advani’s residence to wish him on his birthday.

Vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu also personally greeted Mr Advani. Former President Pranab Mukherjee called him up and gave best wishes.

Mr Advani had invited visually-impaired children as his “special guests” to celebrate his birthday with at his residence. Around 90 children from a blind school were also presented with school bags by the BJP veteran. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia were also among those who personally wished Mr Advani at his residence.