New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted one of the BJP’s stalwarts Dr Murli Manohar Joshi on his 86th birthday.
Modi tweeted, “Greetings to Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi Ji on his birthday. Joshi Ji has made an indelible contribution to our country during his long years in politics, Parliament and as a Minister. He is unwavering when it comes to safeguarding national interests and furthering national progress.”
In a subsequent tweet, he said, “I consider myself fortunate to have got the opportunity to work with Dr. Joshi for many years. Like me, several Karyakartas learnt so much from him. His role in strengthening the Party is extremely valuable. I pray for Dr. Joshi’s long and healthy life.”
I consider myself fortunate to have got the opportunity to work with Dr. Joshi for many years. Like me, several Karyakartas learnt so much from him. His role in strengthening the Party is extremely valuable. I pray for Dr. Joshi’s long and healthy life.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 5, 2020
Joshi is known to have been influenced by the life and work of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Deendayal Upadhyaya. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award, in 2017 by the Government of India.
When the Janata Party came to power forming the first non-Congress government in Indian history, Joshi was elected General Secretary of the Janata Parliamentary Party. After the fall of the government, his party came out of Janata Party in 1980, and formed the Bharatiya Janata Party or the BJP.
