Quiet 82nd birthday for L.K. Advani

New Delhi, Nov 8 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran L.K. Advani turned 82 on a quiet note Sunday, meeting well wishers at home - but not attending any political functions - on what could be his last birthday as leader of opposition.

It was a marked change from last year when he had on this day launched a website, virtually heralding his campaign for prime ministership - an effort that proved unsuccessful.

"Advaniji is meeting people at home. But no political function has been organised by the party on the day," said a party spokesperson wishing to remain anonymous.

For Advani, 2009 could have been the most important year of his political journey. But after the debacle his party faced at the hands of the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections, followed by a mutiny of sorts by BJP leaders against his authority, Advani has been keeping a low profile.

Advani was born Nov 8, 1927 in Karachi, now in Pakistan. He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1942 at the young age of 15. He was soon to take part in active politics, joining the Bharatiya Jan Sangh (the precursor to the BJP) in 1951.

He held various positions in the government 1977 onwards, becoming union minister for information and broadcasting at that time. He became home minister in 1998 and was deputy prime minister between 1999 and 2004.

Rumours are now rife that Advani will soon hang up his boots as leader of opposition.