Lal Krishna Advani is an Indian politician who served as the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the longest period since its formation in 1980. With a political career of more than 30 years, Shri Lal Krishna Advani was first, the Home Minister and, later, the Deputy Prime Minister in Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee‘s cabinet from 1999 to 2004. He is widely regarded as an individual of strong principles, great intellectual ability, and a strong proponent of RSS ideology rooted in his unwavering support for a strong and prosperous India.
Early Life & Education
He was born and raised in pre-Partition Sindh. While studying at St. Patrick’s School in Karachi, his patriotic ideals motivated him to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the young age of fourteen. Ever since then, he has devoted his life to serving the nation. He moved to Bombay with his family after the partition and obtained his graduation in law from the Government Law College of Bombay University. Lal Krishna Advani has had a lengthy political career marked by several highs and lows, beginning with his involvement in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and culminating in his role as the leader responsible for the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) rise to power in Indian politics.
Personal Information
| Full Name | Lal Krishna Advani |
| Date of Birth | 8 November 1927 |
| Father’s Name | Late Kishnchand D Advani |
| Mother’s Name | Late Gyani Devi |
| School | Saint Patrick’s High School, Karachi |
| College | DG National College, Hyderabad, Sindh Government Law College, Mumbai |
| Profession | Politician |
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) |
| Spouse | Late Kamla Advani |
Political Career
Advani joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1941 at the age of fourteen. He worked as a pracharak, devoting himself full-time to organising shakhas. In 1947, he became the secretary for the Karachi unit. After the partition of India, Advani served as a pracharak in Rajasthan. He worked across various districts, including Alwar, Bharatpur, Kota, Bundi, and Jhalawar until 1952.
He joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), a political party founded in collaboration with RSS by Shyama Prasad Mookerjee in 1951 and served in different roles till 1970. In 1970, Advani entered the parliament as a Rajya Sabha MP and served as Information and Broadcasting Minister in Morarji Deesai’s cabinet formed in the 1977 elections but could not complete his term as the government was dissolved in 1980 and fresh elections were held where Indian National Congress won and Advani became the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha.
Formation of BJP
Advani played a key role in the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alongside Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1980.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was elected the first President and Advani, along with Sikandar Bakht and Suraj Bhan, took up the responsibility of General Secretary.
A few months prior to the election in 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated, creating a sympathy wave for the Congress that also contributed to the BJP’s low tally, as the Congress won a record number of seats. Following this, Advani was appointed party President.
Rath Yatra: One of the defining moments of Advani’s career came in 1990 when he embarked on the “Ram Rath Yatra” (chariot journey) to mobilize support for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, on a site disputed with Muslims. This campaign played a significant role in galvanizing Hindu nationalist sentiment and catapulting the BJP onto the national stage.
Deputy Prime Minister: Advani served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004 under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. During his tenure, he also held the crucial portfolios of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs.
Awards & Honours
- Padma Vibhushan (2015)
- Bharat Ratna (2024)
Throughout his career, Advani emphasized the importance of good governance, economic development, and national security. He played a crucial role in shaping the BJP’s agenda, focusing on issues such as anti-corruption measures, infrastructure development, and national security.
Advani is widely regarded as one of the key architects of the BJP’s rise to prominence. His ideological contributions, particularly in articulating the party’s vision of Hindutva (Hindu nationalism), have had a lasting impact on Indian politics.
Lal Krishna Advani’s impact goes way beyond his political accomplishments. He is renowned for being a forward-thinking leader who had a significant impact on the direction of Indian politics. His devotion to nationalist principles and unwavering commitment to serving the public remains a source of inspiration for leaders and citizens alike across generations.
Read more: Sam Manekshaw: India’s First Field Mashal
