New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said conferring India's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) patriarch LK Advani was a "very emotional moment" for him.

Announcing the decision to confer Bharat Ratna, Modi posted on X, "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."

"Advani Ji’s decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence.

"The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me. I will always consider it my privilege that I got countless opportunities to interact with him and learn from him."

Advani: A BJP stalwart and the face of Ram Temple agitation

Advani, who served as the Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004, was one of the co-founders of BJP, which came to power for the first time in 1990s.

Born in Karachi and moved to India during Partition, Advani joined BJP's ideological parent body Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1941.

Advani, who was BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate in 2009 but lost to Congress-led coalition, is the longest serving BJP president, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Union Home Minister.

The BJP stalwart was the leader of BJP's movement supporting the construction of Ram Temple, which was inaugurated by PM Modi on January 22 ending a wait of years, in the disputed site of Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya in 1990s.

His speech in favour of Ram Temple construction is alleged to have provoked the demolition of Babri Masjid in the disputed site by a mob.

He had last contested an election in 2014 from Gujarat's Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, which is now Union Home Minister and BJP strongman Amit Shah's parliamentary seat.