New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi with a chest infection.

His condition is stable, hospital officials said.

The 98-year-old leader was brought to the hospital at around 7.30 p.m. on Friday and admitted to the pulmonary department. He is currently under observation by a team of doctors, while medical tests are underway.

Advani is undergoing treatment at the hospital, and his condition remains stable, according to the officials.

This is not the first time the veteran leader has been hospitalised in recent months. He was last admitted to Apollo Hospital in May this year due to age-related health complications. He remained under medical care for a few days before being discharged.

Earlier, in December 2024, Advani was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital for medical management and investigations. He was treated under the supervision of a neurologist. The hospital then stated that his condition was stable.

On December 17, 2024, the hospital reported that Advani had shown gradual improvement and was likely to be shifted out of the ICU within the following one to two days.

Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi (present-day Pakistan), Advani is one of the most prominent leaders in the history of the BJP. He played a key role in the party’s growth from a relatively small political force into a major national political organisation.

Advani served as the BJP president on multiple occasions and was instrumental in strengthening the party’s organisational base across the country. His nationwide Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 became a significant turning point in Indian politics and helped expand the BJP’s political reach.

He served as India’s Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004 under the government led by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also held several important portfolios, including Home Affairs, during his political career.

In recognition of his contribution to public life, Advani was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 2024. He was previously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

Advani remains a senior figure in the BJP and a key part of the party’s political history.

–IANS

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