LK Advani Hospitalised in Delhi With Chest Infection at 98; Condition Stable

Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi on Friday evening, October 16, after developing a chest infection.

The 98-year-old leader was brought to the hospital at around 7:30 pm and admitted to the pulmonary department, which treats illnesses affecting the lungs and breathing system. Hospital officials said his condition was stable and that he was under observation by a team of doctors. Medical tests were also underway.

A stable condition generally means that a patient's health is not showing signs of immediate deterioration at the time of assessment. However, it does not necessarily mean that the person has fully recovered or is ready to leave the hospital.

As of the latest reports, no detailed public medical bulletin explaining the exact nature or severity of Advani's chest infection had been reported. His recovery timeline and discharge date were also not confirmed.

What is a chest infection, and why does it need attention at an advanced age?

A chest infection occurs when an infection affects the airways or lungs. Depending on its type and severity, it may cause coughing, fever, breathing difficulties, chest discomfort or weakness.

Some chest infections affect the larger airways, while others may involve the lungs themselves. Pneumonia, for example, is an infection that affects the lungs, but there is no confirmed information that Advani has pneumonia.

Older people can be more vulnerable to infections because the body's immune response and ability to recover may weaken with age. Doctors may therefore monitor an elderly patient closely, carry out tests and provide treatment based on the infection and the patient's overall condition.

In Advani's case, hospital officials have confirmed the chest infection and his stable condition. Further medical details should not be assumed without an official update.

This is not his first hospitalisation

The latest admission comes after earlier hospital visits in recent years.

Advani was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in May 2026 for age-related health complications. He received medical care for a few days before being discharged, according to reports.

He was also hospitalised several times in 2024. In December that year, he was admitted to Apollo Hospital for medical management and investigations and received intensive care. The hospital had reported that his condition was stable and that he was gradually improving.

These previous admissions provide background to his recent health history, but they do not by themselves establish whether the current infection is connected to any earlier illness.

Who is LK Advani? A look at his political journey

Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, which is now in Pakistan, Lal Krishna Advani is one of the most influential figures in the BJP's history. He moved to India following Partition in 1947 and went on to build a long career in politics and public life.

Advani became a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the political organisation that preceded the BJP. When the BJP was formed in 1980, he emerged as one of its key leaders and later served as its president on multiple occasions.

His organisational work and nationwide political campaigns played an important role in expanding the BJP's presence across India.

The 1990 Ram Rath Yatra and its political impact

One of the most significant events in Advani's political career was the Ram Rath Yatra, which he launched in 1990. The campaign travelled from Somnath in Gujarat towards Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and supported the movement for a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

The yatra became a major turning point in Indian politics. It helped the BJP expand its public support and made the Ram temple movement a central issue in national political debate.

The campaign also intensified political and social tensions around the Ayodhya dispute. Its influence continues to be discussed in accounts of the BJP's rise and the wider changes in Indian politics during the 1990s.

From Home Minister to Deputy Prime Minister

Advani held several important positions in the Union government led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He served as Union Home Minister during the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government's tenure and became Deputy Prime Minister in 2002, serving until 2004.

As Home Minister, he was responsible for a ministry dealing with internal security, law and order coordination, and other key matters of national administration. As Deputy Prime Minister, he was among the most senior members of the government.

His political career spans several decades and includes a central role in shaping the BJP's identity and electoral growth.

Bharat Ratna: India's highest civilian honour

In 2024, the Government of India announced that Advani would receive the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award. President Droupadi Murmu formally conferred the honour on him at his residence in New Delhi on March 31, 2024.

The award recognised his long contribution to public life. Before this, he had received the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

What happens next?

For now, the key confirmed update is that Advani is receiving treatment at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and remains under medical observation, with his condition described as stable by hospital officials.

Doctors will assess his progress using clinical observations and the results of medical tests. Any further information about the infection, treatment or discharge will depend on updates from the hospital or his family.

Given his age and long public career, the news has drawn attention across the political spectrum. However, the most reliable way to understand his current health is to follow verified medical updates rather than speculation.