PM Modi Shows Respect to Veteran BJP Leader Makhan Lal Sarkar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed respect to 97-year-old Makhan Lal Sarkar, a veteran BJP leader, by hugging and touching his feet at the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata. Sarkar, a resident of Siliguri, was one of the senior-most state leaders during the BJP's initial days and was an aide to Shyama Prasad Mookerjee.

Makhan Lal Sarkar has a significant history with the BJP, having been the first BJP district president of the Siliguri organisational district and a companion of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee on his historic Kashmir tour.

Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya recalled that Sarkar was arrested by Delhi Police for singing a patriotic song when the Congress was in power and was taken to court, where he refused to apologize and instead sang the song again, leading the judge to ask the police to release him with a first-class ticket and Rs 100 for his journey.

The ceremony, where PM Modi honored Sarkar, was part of the swearing-in of Suvendu Adhikari as the BJP's first Bengal Chief Minister. The event marks a significant moment for the BJP in West Bengal, and official responses to the ceremony are expected in the coming days, with further developments anticipated as Adhikari begins his term.