BJP veteran LK Advani to be conferred Bharat Ratna; 'Emotional moment for me', PM Modi says

BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred the country's highest civilian award 'Bharat Ratna', Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday.

Calling Advani 'one of the most respected statesmen', the Prime Minister said that his contribution to the development of India is monumental.

Born on November 8, 1927, Advani served as the president of the BJP 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 PM in the cabinet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday thanked PM Modi for conferring Bharat Ratna to Advani.