Amit Shah turns 53; Modi, others greet him

BJP President Amit Shah, who turned 53 on Saturday, was greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of political leaders, sportspersons and Bollywood celebrities.

"Wishing BJP President @AmitShah a very happy birthday. May God bless him with a long life filled with good health," Modi tweeted.

Shah, a close confidant of Modi, was elected the BJP president for a full three-year term in January this year, retaining the post he has held since the party took power in the country in 2014.

Union Ministers, BJP Chief Ministers and party leaders also greeted Shah.

From the sports fraternity shuttler Saina Nehwal, cricketers Harbhajan Singh and S. Sreesanth, boxer and Olympian Manoj Kumar also greeted Shah on his birthday.

"Wish u a very Happy Birthday Amit sir," Nehwal tweeted, while Harbhajan said, "Many happy returns of the day. Hope you have a great day and an even better year ahead."

From the film fraternity, Singers Kailash Kher and Abhijeet and film exhibitor Akshay Rathi greeted him.

Kher dubbed Shah as "wonderful" person and wished him a healthy happy life forever.

A science graduate, Shah - the son of a businessman - rose to fame when he, as the party in-charge in Uttar Pradesh, led the BJP to a grand victory in the state in the 2014 Lok Sabha battle where it won 71 of the 80 seats. An ally won two more seats.

In the general elections, Shah and Modi combined to lead the party to a spectacular victory, ending 10 long years of Congress rule.

--IANS

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