LK Advani hoisting a flag at his residence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unscripted first Independence Day speech has got a thumbs up for its "
chhoti, chhoti batein" from his one-time mentor and the BJP's seniormost leader LK Advani. (
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Mr Advani, who was present at the Red Fort when the Prime Minister made his speech, lauded Mr Modi for speaking extempore, saying it would have a marked impact. He also noted that, "The PM stressed on
choti, choti baatein (the smallest details)." (
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The 86-year-old former deputy prime minister later unfurled the national flag at his home in Delhi.
Mr Advani was seen as Mr Modi's mentor in his early political career, but their relationship cooled in the last few years.
It turned to freezing last year when Mr Advani publicly objected to Mr Modi's promotion in the party in preparation for his being named the BJP's prime ministerial candidate.
The BJP veteran has found himself increasingly sidelined since then. His request for a change of constituency out of Mr Modi's Gujarat was rejected.
After the BJP registered a mammoth win in the national elections held in May this year, Mr Advani's reported request for the position of Speaker of the Lok Sabha was turned down. He was also not considered for a place in Mr Modi's cabinet.