New Delhi, October 17: Veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, 98, was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in the national capital on Friday evening after developing a chest infection. Hospital officials said his condition is stable and he remains under close medical observation while doctors carry out further tests.
Advani was brought to the hospital at around 7:30 pm on Friday, October 16, and was admitted to the pulmonary department. A dedicated team of doctors is overseeing his treatment and conducting the necessary investigations, hospital sources said.
Nadda visits the veteran leader
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda visited the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital on Saturday to enquire about Advani’s health. The health minister spent time with the veteran leader’s family and the treating doctors to take stock of his condition.
The visit underlined the party’s concern for one of its founding figures. Leaders across the BJP have been seeking updates on Advani’s health since news of his hospitalisation emerged on Saturday morning.
Second admission this year
This is Advani’s second reported hospitalisation at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital this year. He was previously admitted in May for age-related health issues and was discharged after a few days of treatment.
In December 2024, Advani was admitted to the intensive care unit of the same hospital for medical management and investigations under the supervision of a neurologist. The hospital had described his condition as stable at the time.
Doctors say repeated chest infections are not uncommon in patients of advanced age, especially with seasonal changes. The hospital is expected to issue a medical bulletin if there is any change in his condition.
A towering figure in Indian politics
Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi (now in Pakistan), Advani is among the founding leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and played a central role in transforming it into a national political force.
- He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as a swayamsevak in 1942.
- He served as BJP president on three occasions: 1986-90, 1993-98 and 2004-05.
- His Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 became a defining moment in Indian politics.
- He was Union Home Minister from 1999 to 2004 and Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004 in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
- He was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, by President Droupadi Murmu in March 2024.
Notably, Advani’s hospitalisation comes just over a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited his residence on October 7 to seek his blessings. The visit coincided with Modi completing 25 continuous years as the head of a government.
What the hospital has said
Hospital authorities have confirmed that Advani’s condition is currently stable. No official timeline for discharge has been announced. Doctors are continuing their assessment, and further updates on his health are awaited.
Sources in the hospital indicated that the veteran leader is responding to treatment. His family has been by his side through the night, and party workers have been urged to avoid crowding the hospital premises.
FAQs
Why has L.K. Advani been hospitalised?
He was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi on Friday evening, October 16, after developing a chest infection.
What is his current condition?
Hospital officials have said his condition is stable. He is under medical observation while doctors conduct the necessary tests.
Who visited him at the hospital?
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda visited the hospital on Saturday, October 17, to enquire about his health.
Has he been hospitalised before?
Yes. He was admitted to the same hospital in May this year for age-related health issues, and in December 2024 he was treated in the ICU of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.
How old is L.K. Advani?
He is 98 years old. He was born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi.
Informeia will continue to track this story and bring you updates on the veteran leader’s health as they come in.
