PM Modi tweeted a photo of his visit to LK Advani's home with BJP President Amit Shah
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after a super-sized victory in the national election, began his morning with visits to BJP veterans LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi -- who had felt slighted after they were asked to sit out these polls - and his tribute to both on Twitter.
"Called on respected Advani Ji. The BJP's successes today are possible because greats like him spent decades building the party and providing a fresh ideological narrative to the people," PM Modi tweeted, along with a photo at Mr Advani's home with BJP president Amit Shah.
In photos, the Prime Minister, 68, was seen touching Mr Advani's feet.
After meeting with Murli Manohar Joshi, PM Modi tweeted: "Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi is a scholar and intellectual par excellence. His contribution towards improving Indian education is remarkable. He has always worked to strengthen the BJP and mentor several Karyakartas, including me. Met him this morning and sought his blessings."
PM Modi led the BJP to an epic victory on Thursday, with the party scoring 303 seats of 543 in the Lok Sabha and crushing the opposition. One of the big themes of the victory was "Do se Dobara (from two to twice)", which signified the BJP's rise from barely two seats in 1984 to a back-to-back mandate for power.
Mr Advani, 91, had yesterday put out a statement conveying "heartiest congratulations" to PM Modi on his "unprecedented victory".
"Heartiest congratulations to Narendrabhai Modi for steering the BJP towards this unprecedented victory in the elections," said Mr Advani on the bigger-than-2014 win.
Mr Advani and Mr Joshi were both seen to be deeply upset with PM Modi and Amit Shah over the way they were benched in this election.
Amit Shah contested from Mr Advani's Gandhinagar seat and has won by more than 8 lakh votes. Mr Joshi was also denied a chance to contest from Kanpur.
Mr Advani, a founder member of the BJP, was told he would not be the party's candidate from the seat that he has held for six terms.
Mr Advani's reply came in the form of a blog last month reminding the BJP of democratic principles. He also wrote that the party never considered its critics as "anti-nationals". It was seen as a dig at PM Modi and Amit Shah, who had accused rivals during their campaign of "anti-national" statements and speaking Pakistan's language".