Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday felicitated and sought blessings from veteran BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar, acknowledging his decades-long contribution to the party and the nationalist movement.
Makhanlal Sarkar, now 98, is among the earliest grassroots figures associated with nationalist activism in post-Independence India. During the interaction, the Prime Minister paid respect to his enduring commitment and legacy.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐉𝐏 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐬. 🙏🪷
On stage, during the swearing-in ceremony of new Chief Minister of Bengal, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi sought the blessings of Makhanlal Sarkar, one of the BJP’s oldest and… pic.twitter.com/WzPA93Rjnp
— BJP (@BJP4India) May 9, 2026
Notably, in 1952, Sarkar was arrested in Kashmir while accompanying Syama Prasad Mukherjee during the movement to hoist the Indian tricolour—an episode remembered as a significant moment in India’s political history.
After the BJP’s formation in 1980, Makhanlal Ji took charge as organisational coordinator for West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling. From 1981 onward, he served continuously for seven years as district president — a remarkable contribution during the party’s formative years.
Despite his advanced age, Sarkar continues to be regarded as a symbol of dedication and ideological commitment within the BJP, representing a living link to the party’s foundational years and the broader nationalist movement.
