LK Advani Hospitalised With Chest Infection, Condition Stable in ICU

Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, 98, has been admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi with a chest infection. His condition is stable, and he remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under close medical observation, according to an official hospital statement issued on Saturday.

The hospital confirmed that Advani is receiving treatment under Dr Vinit Suri, Senior Consultant – Neurology. He was admitted around 7.30 pm on Friday, October 16, sources told PTI. The hospital has not announced a discharge date or provided a detailed prognosis.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda visited Advani on Saturday to enquire about his health. Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo also expressed concern and wished the veteran leader a speedy recovery.

Advani's latest hospitalisation follows reported medical visits in May 2026 and June, July and December 2024. He was treated at AIIMS in June 2024 and Apollo Hospital on subsequent occasions. During his December 2024 admission, his condition was reported stable, and he was discharged on December 25. No confirmed information establishes a direct connection between those episodes and the current chest infection.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Advani at his residence on October 7, shortly before the hospitalisation. The meeting marked Modi's completion of 25 years as the head of a government, beginning with his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001.

Born in Karachi on November 8, 1927, Advani became one of the principal architects of the BJP's national expansion. He served as party president during three periods between 1986 and 2005, and his Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 significantly influenced national politics and the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

Advani served as Union Home Minister from 1998 to 2004 and Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Earlier, he was Information and Broadcasting Minister from 1977 to 1979.

In recognition of his public service, Advani received the Bharat Ratna in 2024, conferred by President Droupadi Murmu on March 31. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

Advani will turn 99 on November 8. The latest hospital statement confirms that he remains stable under medical supervision, with further updates on his recovery awaited.