LK Advani’s wife dies of heart failure

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 6

Kamla Advani, wife of veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, died at 83 on Wednesday after she suffered a heart attack.

She was brought to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AAIMS) unconscious and unresponsive at 17.10 pm, the hospital said in a statement. She was declared dead an hour later.

Kamla Advani leaves behind her husband, her son Jayant Advani and daughter Pratibha.

She was reported to have been admitted to the hospital in December 2015 for age-related health complications and has been using a wheelchair for the past few months. Sources in the family said she was also suffering from memory loss. 

“Deeply pained & saddened by Kamla Advani ji's demise. She always inspired & motivated Karyakartas & was LK Advani ji's pillar of strength,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted soon after her death.

"I recall my many interactions with Kamla Advani ji. My thoughts are with the Advani family in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace," Modi's second tweet said.

Kamla Advani was the anchor in her politician husband’s life, helping him tackle the pressures of life and politics, say BJP leaders close to the family.

Meanwhile, leaders from the other parties also expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi said she “shares the pain caused by their loss and prayed for the departed soul”. Trinmaool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee also expressed sadness at the passing of Kamla Advani. “Great loss to Advani ji and family. My deepest condolences,” Mamata said. — (With inputs from agencies)