Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP working president JP Nadda and several other party leaders paid homage to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the predecessor of the ruling BJP, on his 66th death anniversary on Sunday at the party headquarters.

Modi sang praises of a "devout patriot and proud nationalist" and said how the party drew inspiration and strength from his passion for a "strong and united" India.

Offering tribute to the educationist, Nadda commended Mookerjee for dedicating his life "for the integrity of India". "The whole country demanded an inquiry into Dr #ShyamaPrasadMukherjee's death, but Pandit Nehru did not order an inquiry. History is witness to this. Dr Mukherjee's sacrifice will never go in vain. The BJP is committed to this cause."

Admiring Mookerjee for launching the first nationalist movement in India, Amit Shah said "he sacrificed his power and gave up everything for the unity and integrity of the country".