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Lal Krishna Advani, veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, was discharged from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi after his health improved. (Img: X)
New Delhi: Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani was discharged from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi on Monday, October 19, following an improvement in his medical condition. The 98-year-old political veteran had been admitted on October 16 with a chest infection and remained under medical supervision during his hospital stay.
The hospital confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, noting that Advani had shown improvement in his medical status. He was under the care of Dr Vinit Suri, senior consultant in neurology, during his hospitalisation.
The discharge brings relief to those who have been monitoring the health of one of the BJP’s most influential leaders, whose political career spans several decades of major changes in Indian politics. Advani is scheduled to turn 99 on November 8, 2026.
The latest update follows the hospital’s October 17 statement, which described his condition as stable and confirmed that he was under close observation in the intensive care unit. The hospital’s subsequent announcement indicated sufficient improvement for him to leave the facility. No further details about his recovery plan or future medical appointments were immediately disclosed.
Advani was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital on the evening of October 16 after developing a chest infection. Reports also referred to pulmonary complications, prompting medical evaluation, treatment and close monitoring.
During his stay, he received care under Dr Vinit Suri. The hospital’s October 19 statement confirmed that his medical condition had improved and that he was being discharged.
The previous update, issued on October 17, had described his condition as stable while he remained under close observation in the ICU. Such monitoring allows medical teams to assess a patient's overall clinical status and response to treatment. However, the hospital did not publicly disclose a detailed clinical assessment or the full course of treatment administered to Advani.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda also visited the veteran leader at the hospital on Saturday and enquired about his health, according to reports. The visit drew further attention to Advani’s condition and highlighted his continuing significance within the BJP’s political history.
The latest discharge follows previous hospital visits in recent years. Advani was admitted to Apollo Hospital in May 2026 for age-related health complications and remained under medical care for a few days before being discharged. In December 2024, he was also admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit for medical management and investigations. The hospital had described his condition as stable at the time.
Given his age, continued medical supervision and appropriate follow-up care remain important considerations. The latest hospital statement did not provide additional details about his recovery at home.
Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, in present-day Pakistan, Lal Krishna Advani is among the most consequential figures in the BJP’s political history. His career spans the party’s formative years, its expansion into a major national political force and its eventual rise to power at the Centre.
Advani served as BJP president on multiple occasions and played a significant role in strengthening the party’s organisational network across India. His political strategy, nationwide mobilisation campaigns and emphasis on cadre-based expansion helped transform the BJP’s electoral presence during a period of major political realignment.
One of the defining episodes of his career was the Ram Rath Yatra in 1990, a nationwide political mobilisation centred on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The campaign became a turning point in Indian politics, expanding the BJP’s political reach while reshaping debates around religion, identity and electoral mobilisation.
Advani subsequently held several senior positions in government. He served as Union Home Minister and later as Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004 under the National Democratic Alliance government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
His tenure coincided with significant changes in the BJP’s organisational strength and the wider political landscape. As a senior strategist and party leader, Advani remained closely associated with the party’s transformation from a comparatively smaller political force into one of India’s principal national parties.
In recognition of his contribution to public life, Advani was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 2024. He had earlier received the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.
The Bharat Ratna recognised his long political career and influence on the country’s public life. His contribution remains closely associated with the BJP’s organisational expansion, the evolution of coalition politics and political developments that reshaped India from the late twentieth century onwards.
Although Advani has largely stepped away from active day-to-day politics, he remains an important figure in the BJP’s institutional memory and political narrative. His career has been closely linked with the party’s ideological development, electoral growth and experience in government.
His discharge from hospital comes ahead of his 99th birthday on November 8, an occasion likely to renew public attention on his legacy and decades-long role in national politics.
For now, the immediate development is his return home following an improvement in his condition. Further information about his recovery will depend on any subsequent updates from his family or medical team.
