Lal Krishna Advani

Born On: 8 November 1927
Born In: Karachi, India (Now in Pakistan)
Career: Politician

Lal Krishnachand Advani, better known to us as L. K. Advani, is a name that needs no introduction. A veteran Indian politician and former leader of Bharatiya Janata Party, L. K. Advani's ambitious political journey, spanning over three decades, has been quite eventful, not to say, even bumpy at times. One of the most widely regarded faces in the realms of Indian politics, the political career of this octogenarian politician has been dented by a slew of controversies, ranging from the Jinnah episode, the Hawala scandal, Babri Masjid demolition and more. However, his intellectual forte, rock-firm principles, and values sailed him through all odds and helped him propel his political ambitions to greater heights. A man of strength, power and conviction, L. K. Advani continues to be an inspiration for many even today. Know all about the life and feats of this great Indian politician in the write-up below.

Early Life
L.K. Advani was born to Kishanchand D. Advani and Gyani Devi in Karachi, Sindh, then a part of undivided India. He completed his education from Saint Patrick's High School, and Dayaram Gidumal National College in Pakistan and then went on to graduate from Government Law College in Bombay. He completed his Master's in Sociology from Mumbai University.

Career
L.K Advani started his career as a teacher, teaching English, history, math and science to high school students at Model High School in Karachi. His political career took off after he was elected as the Secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. In the next few years, he was appointed as a member of Bharatiya Jana Sangh. After serving various roles in the party, he was finally elected as its President. In course of time, Jana Sangh coalesced with other political parties to become Janata Party. The unpopularity of Emergency rule paved way for Janata Party to come to power and with that Advani became the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. However, inner animosity within the party led to the formation of Bharatiya Janata Party with L. K. Advani becoming one of its most prominent members and representing the party in Rajya Sabha.

In the year 1986, L.K Advani was appointed as the president of BJP. Advani changed the face of BJP by bringing in more aggressive form of Hindutvaa policies that propelled BJP to great heights. This benefitted the party largely and in the next assembly elections, BJP defeated Congress to come to power. However, internal politics, corruption, and controversies didn't allow BJP to stay in power for long and in the next assembly elections, the party was overthrown by Congress. The BJP came back to power with a bang in the year 1998 under the umbrella of coalition governance of NDA. Lal Krishna Advani was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister. However, charges of scams weakened their power and NDA was knocked out of power in 2004 assembly elections.

Lal Krishna Advani always aspired to become the Prime Minister and has in fact, contested for it several times. However, with the victory of Indian National Congress in the last assembly elections, this octogenarian politician's ambition to occupy the top seat was quashed forever. Owing to his defeat in the elections, he had to give up his position of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha to close comrade Sushma Swaraj.

Contribution
Shri L. K. Advani's contribution to the growth and success of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been enormous. Being one of the oldest party members as well as one of the most powerful forefront leaders of BJP, he has spent more than 30 years of his life in the dedicated service of his party. Not only that, L. K. Advani also served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India during the Prime Ministerial tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, contributing to the political machinery of the country significantly.

Timeline

1927: Was born in Karachi.
1936-1942: Studied at St. Patricks School, Karachi.
1942: Joined the RSS as a Swayamsevak.
1944: Held a job as a teacher in Model High School, Karachi.
1947: Left from Sindh to Delhi.
1947-1951: Organized RSS work in Alwar, Bharatpur, Kota, Bundi and Jhalawar as RSS Secretary in the Karachi branch.
1957: Shifted to Delhi to assist Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
1958-1963: Held the position of Secretary of the Delhi State Jana Sangh.
1960-1967: Joined the Organiser, a political journal of the Jana Sangh as assistant editor.
1965: Married Smt. Kamla Advani and has two children, Pratibha and Jayant.
1970: Entered the Rajya Sabha.
1972: Was elected President of Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
1975: Was Arrested in Bangalore during Emergency period and taken to Bangalore Central Jail along with other BJS members.
1977-1979: Held the position of Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting.
1986: Became Party President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
1980-1986: Held the position of General Secretary of the BJP.
1986: Was announced as party President of the BJP.
1988: Was re-elected party president of the BJP and held the position of Home minister in the BJP Government.
1990: Began the Ram Rath Yatha from Somnath to Ayodhya.
1997: Began the Swarna Jayanti Rath Yathra to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of India's Independence.
1999-2004: Held the position of Deputy Prime Minister.
2004-2009: Was Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha