JP Nadda visits Advani at Apollo Hospital amid chest infection
Synopsis
BJP patriarch Lal Krishna Advani, 98, is under observation at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital with a chest infection — his third hospitalisation in under two years. Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited him on Saturday, underscoring the political significance the party attaches to the veteran leader's wellbeing.
Key Takeaways
Lal Krishna Advani , 98 , was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital's pulmonary department on Friday evening with a chest infection.
Union Health Minister J.P.
Nadda visited Advani on 17 October 2026 to enquire about his health.
Hospital officials confirmed his condition is stable ; medical tests are ongoing.
He was previously hospitalised in May 2026 for age-related complications and in December 2024 in the ICU under neurological care.
Advani, a former Deputy Prime Minister (2002–2004) , was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024 .
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda visited veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi on Saturday, 17 October 2026, to enquire about his health. The 98-year-old BJP stalwart was admitted to the hospital's pulmonary department at around 7:30 pm on Friday with a chest infection and is currently under observation.
Current Health Condition
Hospital officials confirmed that Advani's condition is stable, with a dedicated team of doctors monitoring him and medical tests currently underway. He was admitted to the pulmonary department, indicating respiratory concerns consistent with his advanced age.
A Pattern of Recent Hospitalisations
This is not the first time Advani has required hospitalisation in recent months. He was last admitted to Apollo Hospital in May 2026 due to age-related health complications, remaining under medical care for a few days before being discharged. Prior to that, in December 2024, he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital for medical management and investigations, where he was treated under the supervision of a neurologist. His condition was reported as stable on both occasions.
Advani's Political Legacy
Born on 8 November 1927 in Karachi (present-day Pakistan), Advani is widely regarded as one of the principal architects of the modern BJP. He served as BJP president on multiple occasions and played a decisive role in transforming the party from a relatively modest political force into one of India's dominant national organisations. His Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 is considered a watershed moment in Indian political history, significantly broadening the BJP's national footprint.
Advani served as Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004 under the government of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also held the crucial Home Affairs portfolio during his political career.
Honours and Recognition
In recognition of his decades of public service, Advani was conferred the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — in 2024. He was previously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2015. He remains a revered senior figure in the BJP and a cornerstone of the party's political history.
With his hospitalisation drawing a visit from a senior Union minister, Advani's health will continue to be closely watched by political circles and the public alike.
Point of View
Even as the party it built dominates Indian politics. Three admissions in under two years — each drawing high-level visits and public bulletins — reflect both the genuine affection for a towering figure and the symbolic weight his health carries for the party's self-image. Mainstream coverage tends to treat these episodes as routine health updates; what they also mark, quietly, is the closing chapter of an era in Indian conservatism that no successor has fully claimed.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lal Krishna Advani hospitalised on 17 October 2026?
Advani was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital's pulmonary department at around 7:30 pm on Friday, 17 October 2026, with a chest infection. Hospital officials said his condition is stable and he is under observation by a team of doctors.
Who visited Advani at the hospital?
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda visited Advani at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi on Saturday, 17 October 2026, to enquire about his health.
How many times has Advani been hospitalised recently?
This is at least the third hospitalisation in under two years. He was admitted in December 2024 to the ICU for medical management and neurological investigations, again in May 2026 for age-related complications, and now in October 2026 with a chest infection.
What is Lal Krishna Advani's political legacy?
Advani is one of the BJP's founding architects, having served as party president multiple times and as Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004. His 1990 Ram Rath Yatra is regarded as a turning point in Indian politics. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — in 2024.
What is Advani's current age and background?
Advani was born on 8 November 1927 in Karachi (present-day Pakistan), making him 98 years old. He has been a central figure in the BJP since its formation and remains a senior figure in the party's political history.
