Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ministers, chief ministers and BJP leaders heaped praise on home minister and BJP chief Amit Shah on his birthday on Tuesday, describing him as an “invaluable” leader in the government and the “modern Iron Man of India”.

As BJP chief, Shah had emerged as the second most powerful leader in the country in the first tenure of the Modi government itself but his entry in the government as home minister has reinforced his importance.

“Best wishes to hard worker, experienced, able organiser and my colleague in the union cabinet Amit Shah on his birthday. Apart from playing an invaluable role in the government, he is also contributing significantly in making India strong and secure. May Lord give him a long and ever healthy life,” Modi tweeted.

There was no public celebration of Shah’s birthday but the home minister tried to thank everyone individually on Twitter for greeting him, making a long list on the social media platform.

Along with Modi and Union ministers, chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and party leaders joined to wish Shah and hail him, aware of his present as well as future importance.

The chief ministers of the Congress-ruled states, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, also greeted Shah on Twitter.

“With his determination, he got Article 370 removed from Kashmir,” tweeted railway and commerce minister Piyush Goyal as he prayed to God that he continues to be enriched by Shah’s experience and association.

Although Shah continues to credit Modi for scrapping the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, most party leaders view the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A as an initiative of the new home minister. With the Kashmir move, Shah has fortified his image as a “bold and fearless” leader, possibly greater than even Modi.

“Giving concrete shape to the concept of New India, modern Iron Man of India,” junior finance minister Anurag Singh Thakur said, hailing Shah as a “glorious” home minister while greeting him on his birthday.

Hashtag #HBDayAmitShah trended on Twitter for some time, indicating an effort by the BJP’s social media machinery.

“It is always special to see dreams to fruition, and that is what Shri Amit Shah, one of the most prolific BJP Presidents, did when he steered the abrogation of Article 370 for us. He has unarguably taken the party to newer heights. I wish the very best for him. #HBDayAmitShah,” tweeted BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya.

Ministers senior to Shah, such as defence minister Rajnath Singh and road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari, too joined the beeline by not only wishing Shah but even hailing him as a great leader.

“Best wishes to Amit Shah, a fighter, hardworking, able strategist and my colleague in the union cabinet. As home minister, he is engaged in further strengthening the security of the country,” Rajnath tweeted.

“Best wishes to BJP president and home minister Amit Shah on his birthday. I wish you a healthy and long life. You continue to serve the country with the same diligence,” Gadkari tweeted.