LK Advani's wife passes away due to heart attack

New Delhi: Kamla Advani, the wife of BJPveteran L K Advani, died on Wednesday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) due to heart failure.

Sources close to the family said she complained of uneasiness and breathlessness and was rushed to the AIIMS where doctors tried to revive her but in vain. "She suffered cardiac arrest," they said.

Kamla Advani (83) leaves behind, besides her husband, a son and a daughter. She had been suffering from age-related problems for some time and was on wheelchair for the last few months. Family sources said she was also suffering from memory loss.

An AIIMS statement said, "Kamla Advani, wife of L K Advani, was brought to the main casualty, AIIMS at 5.10 pm in a very serious unconscious and unresponsive condition. Immediate evaluation revealed the patient to be in cardiopulmonary arrest."

It further said that immediate resuscitation measures were provided by a team of doctors. "However, despite 60 mins of intensive efforts, she could not be revived and was declared dead at 6.10 pm," the statement said.

AIIMS Director M C Mishra said, "She was pulseless, her blood pressure was not recordable and she was unresponsive. Resuscitative measures were put in place and after about an hour she was declared dead."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a number of leaders, including BJP President Amit Shah and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, condoled her demise.

Recalling his interactions with Kamla Advani, Modi said his thoughts are with the Advani family in this hour of grief.

"Deeply pained and saddened by Kamla Advani ji's demise. She always inspired and motivated Karyakartas and was LK Advani ji's pillar of strength," he tweeted.

"Deeply saddened by the demise of Kamla Advani ji. My heartfelt condolences to Advani family, May God give strength to bear the great pain," Shah said.

Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Ravi Shankar Prasad, D V Sadananda Gowda, J P Nadda and Prakash Javadekar, were among the many who expressed grief over her death.

Kamla was Advani's companian for over 51 years as the two were married in February 1965. Kamla was a social worker and had worked at General Post Office.

RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said, "Saddened by the demise of Kamla Advani. She lived an ideal life by Advaniji's side & an affectionate Mata to all of us thru her hospitality."

Expressing his condolences, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said, "My sincere condolences to Advaniji on the passing away of his wife Kamla Advani. My prayers are with him & his family in this time of grief."