Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani has been admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi with a chest infection. The 98-year-old former Deputy Prime Minister is stable and under medical observation, according to hospital updates on Friday, October 16.
Advani was admitted to the hospital’s pulmonary department, where doctors are monitoring his condition and carrying out medical investigations. The latest update has brought renewed attention to the health of one of the BJP’s most influential leaders, whose political career spans several decades.
The hospital has not announced how long he is expected to remain under treatment. Details about the severity of the infection and the specific treatment being provided have also not been made public.
Advani’s admission comes as doctors continue to assess his health and determine the appropriate course of treatment. Chest infections can affect the airways or lungs, and older adults may require closer monitoring because of the risk of complications.
The course of treatment depends on the cause of the infection, the patient’s symptoms and the results of medical tests. In Advani’s case, the hospital has confirmed that his condition is stable, but further clinical details remain unavailable.
The latest hospitalisation follows earlier medical visits in recent years. Advani was admitted to Apollo Hospital in May 2026 for age-related health concerns and received medical care before being discharged.
He was also hospitalised in December 2024 for medical evaluation and treatment. Earlier that year, he was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi for age-related health issues and was discharged after evaluation.
Although these hospital visits have kept his health in the public eye, the current update should be understood on its own terms: Advani is receiving treatment for a chest infection and remains stable under medical supervision.
The latest admission comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Advani at his residence in New Delhi on October 7.
The visit marked an important milestone in Modi’s public life, as he completed 25 years as a head of government. He first became the chief minister of Gujarat in October 2001 before going on to serve as Prime Minister.
PM Modi has often acknowledged Advani’s influence on his political journey and the development of the BJP. The meeting reflected the long association between the two leaders and Advani’s place in the party’s history.
Advani was among the senior figures who helped strengthen the BJP’s organisation and expand its political reach across India. His role in the party’s growth made him one of the most prominent leaders of his generation.
Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, now in Pakistan, Advani became a central figure in the BJP’s rise as a national political force.
He served as BJP president during three separate periods and played a major role in shaping the party’s political strategy and organisation. His leadership coincided with a period when the BJP expanded its support base and emerged as a major challenger to the Congress.
One of the most defining events of his political career was the Ram Rath Yatra in 1990. The campaign brought the Ram Temple movement to the centre of national politics and had a lasting impact on India’s political debate.
Advani later served in the Union government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was Union Home Minister from 1998 to 2004 and Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004.
During his time in government, India faced several major developments, including the Kargil conflict in 1999 and the terrorist attack on Parliament in December 2001.
His political career has been closely associated with the BJP’s transformation from a relatively smaller political party into one of India’s principal national parties.
In 2024, Advani was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of his contribution to public life. He had received the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award, in 2015.
The Bharat Ratna announcement renewed public attention on his decades-long role in Indian politics and his influence on the BJP’s development.
Advani’s legacy remains closely linked to major political changes in India, particularly the BJP’s expansion and the rise of the Ram Temple movement as a central issue in national politics.
Advani remains under medical observation at Apollo Hospital, where doctors are continuing treatment and investigations. No discharge date has been announced, and further information will depend on updates from the hospital.
His hospitalisation has prompted renewed concern among political observers and party supporters. Attention will remain focused on his recovery and any further official updates on his health.
