M A I N   N E W S

Mahajan still critical, undergoes surgery
Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service

Mumbai, April 23
The condition of Pramod Mahajan, general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who was shot at and injured by his brother yesterday, continues to be critical, according to doctors at Hinduja Hospital where he is admitted.

Pramod Mahajan underwent a minor surgery this evening following a fluid build-up in his liver, which was damaged after being hit by a bullet fired by his younger brother, but there was no deterioration in his condition.

“He was unable to maintain saturations. So, we took him to the operation theatre, opened up the abdomen and removed the pads. There were lot of fluid pads and a little swelling was there,” said Dr Sudhanshu Bhattacharya, one of the doctors attending on him.

Dr Bhattacharya said Dr Mohammad Rela, the liver specialist specially flown in from London, was “taking care” of the case.

According to the bulletin put out by the hospital, Mahajan continues to be on life support systems and is breathing with the help of a ventilator. However, he attained consciousness late Saturday night and was able to recognise visitors.

Mahajan’s son Rahul told reporters that the politician has been able to recognise visitors. “I told my father he was going to be okay and he nodded and smiled at me,” Rahul said outside the hospital. Former Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh said Mahajan was definitely showing signs of improvement. “The fact that he can recognise people is a positive sign,” he said.

The hospital authorities said at least three bullets fired at Mahajan by his brother Pravin continued to be lodged in his body. A decision to remove the bullets would be taken when Mahajan’s condition improved, doctors said.

Mahajan’s kidney functions too have been poor, according to doctors. The next 48 hours are critical for Mahajan.

Dr Rela arrived in Mumbai today after doctors here said Mahajan’s liver had suffered serious damage and a transplant may be called for. Dr Rela holds a world record for the number of liver transplants carried out, including one on a five-month-old infant.

Prominent visitors continued to drop in at the Hinduja Hospital. Among those who called on him included former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “I am sure Pramod will defeat death and come back to us victorious,” said Mr Vajpayee after inquiring about Mahjan’s health.

Others who called on Mahajan today included BJP leaders Jaswant Singh, Rajnath Singh, lyricist Javed Akhtar and wife Shabana Azmi.

Brother remanded

Pravin Mahajan, who shot at Pramod Mahajan and surrendered to the police shortly afterwards, was remanded in police custody till April 29 by a local court. Pravin was brought to the holiday court at Bhoiwada with his face covered in a burqa. The public prosecutor told the court that the police needed to question Pravin further to ascertain his motive for shooting the BJP leader.

The police had earlier recorder the statement of Pravin’s wife Sarangi. The police is waiting for the condition of Pramod Mahajan to improve before recording his statement as well. Investigators will also question Rekha Mahajan, wife of Pramod, in the next couple of days.

The police hold that Pravin had planned to kill his brother and had come armed with a loaded gun for the purpose. Pravin’s lawyer Nandkumar Rajurkar told the court that his client needed medical attention for at least seven days since he was mentally ill.

The police claims to have obtained a statement from Pravin which accused Pramod of treating him “like dirt”.

Yatra in question

Meanwhile, the future of the Bharat Suraksha Yatra is in doubt. Party spokesman Mukhtar Naqvi said the continuation of the yatra by Mr L. K. Advani and party president Rajnath Singh would depend upon the health of Pramod Mahajan.

Reports said Mr Rajnath Singh would continue his yatra from late Sunday afternoon.