New Delhi: A controversy started after it emerged veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, one of its founding members, was not invited to its 35th foundation day festivities at the party headquarters. The BJP, however, claimed that only Union ministers, who attended it, were informed by the BJP president’s office, as per protocol, and no formal invitation was extended to any leader.

Sources close to Advani said he had also not received any text message, which the party sent to all leaders. It may be recalled that Advani had not addressed the just-concluded party national conclave in Bengaluru despite requests by the party leadership.

It was described by many political pundits as an end of an era in the saffron party, whose leadership is often blamed for sidelining veterans. Another veteran, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, was also conspicuous by his absence at the party headquarters for the foundation day function.

Both Mr Advani and Dr Joshi were dropped from the party’s highest decision-making body, the parliamentary board, after the party’s stunning victory in last year’s Lok Sabha elections and were made members of the “Margdarshak Mandal”, which is yet to hold its first meeting. Among other members of this “Margdarshak Mandal” are former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh.

A photo exhibition depicting the BJP’s journey was also organised at the party headquarters as part of the celebrations. BJP president Amit Shah, in his address to party workers, had espoused the philosophy of cultural nationalism and integral humanism since its formation. He also noted that the BJP’s journey through the years had been eventful and full of struggles.