BJP 'havan' near Narendra Modi rally venue to mark Vajpayee birthday

RANCHI: The BJP today performed ' havan' and prayed for a long life for its leader and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 89th birthday.

The fire ritual was performed at Jagannath Maidan where Gujarat Chief Minister and the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi would address ' Vijay Sankalp Rally' on December 29.

Senior party leader and former deputy Chief Minister Raghuvar Das said, "The havan at the rally venue was performed to pray for Vajpayeeji's good health and long life. He has been our inspiration."

Observing the day at BJP's state headquarters here, former Chief Minister Arjun Munda described Vajpayee as "a versatile leader, who put village development among others in his priority list during his regime".

Several senior party leaders and activists were present at both the places.