Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani, aged 96, has been admitted to Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, where he is currently under observation. Hospital officials have confirmed that Advani’s condition is “stable,” and he is receiving care from Dr. Vinit Suri, a senior consultant in the neurology department.
Advani, who was admitted to the same facility earlier this year, was brought in two days ago. However, the specific reason for his hospitalization has not yet been disclosed by the hospital.
A Long Political Journey
Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, Advani’s political journey began at the young age of 14 when he became a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Following the Partition of India in 1947, Advani and his family migrated to India, where his political career began to take shape.
In 1951, he joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), founded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Advani’s influence in Indian politics grew significantly over the years, marked by his election to the Rajya Sabha in 1970 and his appointment as the president of the party in 1972. Advani, along with his colleague Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was arrested during the 1975 Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
With the Janata Party government led by Morarji Desai coming into power in 1977, Advani was appointed as the information and broadcasting minister. His pivotal role in the founding of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980 marked the beginning of a new era in Indian politics.
A Key Figure in BJP’s Rise
Advani’s leadership was instrumental in transforming the BJP from a modest party with only two seats in the 1984 general elections to a dominant political force in the 1990s. His involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, advocating for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, further solidified his influence and propelled the party’s political rise.
Having served as the BJP president three times, Advani also held significant positions in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, including deputy prime minister and home minister. Despite leading the BJP as the prime ministerial candidate in the 2009 general elections, the party was unable to secure victory that year.
Advani’s contributions to Indian politics remain immense, and his leadership has shaped the course of the BJP’s growth into one of the country’s leading political parties.
As he continues his recovery, political leaders and well-wishers have expressed their support and hopes for his speedy recovery.
Sources By Agencies