Mumbai: Former Maharashtra forest minister Patangrao Kadam (72), who was admitted to the privately-run Lilavati hospital on Saturday, has been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He is suffering from renal dysfunction and has been placed on ventilator support.

 The Congress leader has been unwell for the last two to three months, but in the last week his health deteriorated and he was rushed to hospital. Doctors treating Mr Kadam said his condition was stable.

Talking to The Asian Age Dr V. Shankaran,  CEO of Lilavati Hospital said, “Mr Kadam is responding slow to the treatment but he is responding and is conscious.” 

However, when asked pressed further about Mr Kadam’s health and the line of treatment, the hospital declined to comment. But it has been learnt that he is undergoing treatment under hematologist Dr M. B. Agarwal.

Mr Kadam previously held the forest ministry in the state government. He is also the founder of Bharati Vidyapeeth and several other educational institutes.

A staunch Congre-ssman, he has held ministerial portfolios such as cooperation and forest in the Congress-NCP government during 1999 to 2014.