Former Deputy CM tests negative for dengue

Tests conducted on former deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal ruled out suspicions on Sunday that he was afflicted with dengue, even as the results of more tests are awaited. Bhujbal was rushed on Saturday to the state-run JJ Hospital for suspected dengue from Arthur Road jail after his health had worsened.

Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Bhujbal was rushed to hospital after his health worsened due to a combination of high fever, low platelet count, low blood pressure and diabetes. He complained of weakness and headache and was found to have fever when prison doctors examined him. However, his test results for dengue came out negative.

“Bhujbal has fever, headache, and his platelet count is dropping. We are running tests. But his dengue test was negative. He has been admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit,” said Dr Tatyarao Lahane, Dean of JJ Hospital.

“He is experiencing weakness chills, red patches, arthritis,” Dr Lahane said. “The fingers in his hands are also not bending and he has pain in his chest. His blood has also been sent for investigation to the laboratory for checking whether something is wrong internally,” he further said.

When asked if any kin or political personality had visited Bhujbal, Dr Lahane said, “No, he is down with health issues and having several infections. If people meet him it can lead problems and worsen his condition.”

This is not the first time that Bhujbal has had to be admitted to a hospital after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March. His last hospital stay, however, stirred up a controversy after an inquiry revealed violations of prison rules. Since his arrest, Bhujbal has been lodged in the Arthur Road jail.

The ED had filed two FIRs against Bhujbal, his son and nephew among others under the provisions of PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act), based on Mumbai police FIRs, to probe the Delhi-based Maharashtra Sadan construction scam and the Kalina land grabbing case.

The former PWD minister is facing charges in a money laundering case and was earlier admitted at St George Hospital in April this year for various health issues after his condition deteriorated in prison. Bhujbal is known to have a history of asthma, hypertension, diabetes and blood pressure.