LK Advani

‘Hindutva’ was merely a philosophical abstract until L.K. Advani turned it around and built independent India’s biggest political movement from late 1980s. When he set out on his first Rath Yatra in 1990, he was only 63.

There aren’t many alive, who call him ‘Lal’. But at 81, Advani is as agile and active as ever, campaigning across the country.

Stakes are high — if his party wins, he will be the prime minister next year. Advani would rather lose an argument than a friend, and has been trying to figure out, for decades, what makes some people cry easily.

He is one among them. And yet, they call him a hardliner!