A Syama Prasad Mookerjee aide whose feet PM touched during Suvendu’s swearing-in: Who is Makhanlal Sarkar

In 1952, Sarkar was arrested in Kashmir while accompanying Mookerjee during the movement to hoist the Tricolour in the Valley. Mookerjee’s visit to Kashmir was part of a movement led by him to pressure the Centre to push for Jammu and Kashmir’s full integration with India. It was during the agitation that Mookerjee died of a cardiac arrest while being held in a cottage eight miles from Srinagar, giving rise to the popular slogan: “Jahaan hue balidaan Mookerjee, wo Kashmir hamara hai; jo Kashmir hamara hai, wo saare ka saara hai (Where Mookerjee was martyred, that Kashmir is ours; the Kashmir that is ours is the entire Kashmir)”.

Sarkar served as the coordinator for the erstwhile West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling districts. Within a year, he successfully enrolled 10,000 members, laying the groundwork for the party’s current dominance in North Bengal.

He served an unprecedented seven terms as the BJP’s district unit chief. A resident of Siliguri, he continues to work for the party despite his age.

Modi touching Sarkar’s feet was seen as a gesture reflecting the BJP’s emphasis on recognising the party’s old guard.

PM Modi later took to X  to pay tribute to Sarkar, describing him as a “devoted patriot” who represents the foundational roots of the nationalist movement. “Today, as the first BJP government in West Bengal takes oath, it is only natural for all of us to remember Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee,” Modi wrote.

“At the swearing-in ceremony… I met Makhanlal Sarkar. A devoted patriot, Sarkar worked closely with Dr Mookerjee and was even arrested alongside him during his journey to Jammu and Kashmir. He has dedicated his life to expanding our party’s foundation across West Bengal and inspiring people from all walks of life to join us,” Modi posted. “We are proud that our party has such inspirational figures… We will not spare any effort in realising Dr Mookerjee’s dream,” he added.