News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/6th August 2024
Former Deputy Prime Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani was admitted to Delhi’s Apollo Hospital on Tuesday, as reported by PTI. The 96-year-old stalwart’s condition is currently stable, offering some relief to his supporters and party members.
This admission follows a series of recent hospital visits for Advani. On July 3, he was admitted to Apollo Hospital but was discharged after a brief stay the following day. Just a week earlier, he had been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for age-related issues and was discharged shortly after. These frequent hospital visits highlight the health challenges faced by the veteran politician due to his advanced age.
In a notable event earlier this year, on March 31, President Droupadi Murmu awarded Advani India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, at his residence. This ceremony was attended by prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, underscoring the immense respect and recognition Advani commands across the political spectrum.
Advani, a towering figure in Indian politics, has played a pivotal role in shaping the BJP’s trajectory. Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the young age of 14. Following the Partition in 1947, Advani and his family migrated to India, where he would soon embark on a significant political journey.
In 1951, Advani joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, founded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He made his entry into the Rajya Sabha in 1970 and was elected as the party president two years later. His political career faced a major challenge during the 1975 Emergency when he, along with party colleague Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was arrested.
With the formation of the Janata Party government under Morarji Desai in 1977, Advani was appointed as the Information and Broadcasting Minister. In 1980, he became one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which emerged from the dissolution of the Jana Sangh.
Advani’s leadership is credited with the meteoric rise of the BJP from a mere two seats in the 1984 general election to a formidable national force by the 1990s. His prominent role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, advocating for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, significantly bolstered the BJP’s electoral prospects.
Serving three terms as the BJP president, Advani’s influence was instrumental in the party’s growth. He later held crucial positions as the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister in the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In 2009, Advani was named the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate for the general elections, although the party did not secure a victory.
Advani’s political journey, marked by significant contributions and formidable challenges, reflects his enduring influence and dedication. As he recovers in Apollo Hospital, the thoughts and prayers of many are with him, wishing for his swift recovery. His legacy, deeply embedded in the annals of Indian politics, continues to inspire many within the BJP and beyond.
