PM Modi touches feet of veteran Siliguri BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar during oath ceremony in Kolkata

Kolkata, 09th May: An emotional and respectful moment was witnessed during the oath-taking ceremony when Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched the feet of 97-year-old veteran BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar from Siliguri and sought his blessings.

Makhanlal Sarkar is regarded as one of the oldest and most dedicated BJP workers. He has been associated with nationalist movements since the post-independence period. In 1952, he participated in the movement to hoist the national flag in Kashmir alongside Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, during which he was also arrested.

He also played a major role in strengthening the party organisation. After the formation of the BJP in 1980, he was appointed organisational coordinator for Paschim Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling districts. Within a year, he played a key role in enrolling nearly 10,000 new members into the party.

From 1981 onwards, he served continuously as district president for seven years. At the time, it was considered an exceptional achievement, as such a long tenure in a single organisational post was rare.

Prime Minister Modi’s gesture towards the veteran worker was seen as a mark of respect and also highlighted the importance of grassroots party workers.