Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew attention during the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata after he warmly greeted 97-year-old BJP veteran Makhan Lal Sarkar. In a touching moment, PM Modi hugged Sarkar and touched his feet to seek his blessings at the event attended by several senior BJP leaders and dignitaries.

Makhan Lal Sarkar is regarded as one of the earliest grassroots leaders associated with the BJP in West Bengal. According to Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya, Sarkar was a close aide of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee and had accompanied him during his final journey to Kashmir. Mookerjee later died under mysterious circumstances in a Kashmir jail, making Sarkar a significant witness to an important chapter in India’s political history.

Bhattacharya also recalled an incident from Sarkar’s younger days when he was allegedly arrested by Delhi Police for singing a patriotic song during the Congress regime. He said Sarkar refused to apologise in court, insisting that singing a patriotic song was not a crime. Impressed by his courage, the judge reportedly asked him to sing the song again in court before arranging a first-class train ticket and travel money for his return journey.

Also Read: Peter Magyar Begins Hungary’s Political Reset After Historic Election Victory

Sarkar’s political journey dates back to the early 1950s. In 1952, he was arrested in Kashmir while accompanying Mookerjee during a movement linked to hoisting the Indian national flag there. After the BJP was formed in 1980, Sarkar played a major role in expanding the party’s presence across northern districts of West Bengal, including Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and West Dinajpur.

He later served as district president for seven consecutive years, an uncommon achievement during that period. Party leaders credit him for enrolling nearly 10,000 members within a year and strengthening the BJP’s organisational structure in the state. Even at the age of 97, Makhan Lal Sarkar continues to be remembered as one of the pioneering figures of the BJP’s early growth in West Bengal.

Also Read: Rajasthan Initiates Action After Two Postpartum Deaths At Kota Medical College Hospital