Ajay Maken: Suffering from very painful orthopaedic illness

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken on Thursday said that he was suffering from “painful orthopaedic ailment”, two days after his party dismissed as “rumours” reports of his resignation as its Delhi unit chief.

Mr Maken tweeted that he was “deeply touched” by outpouring of wishes and concerns about his health but did not comment on the resignation “rumours”.

“Deeply touched by the outpouring of good wishes and concern about my health. I’m suffering from an irreversible & progressive orthopaedic ailment, which is extremely painful, but not life-threatening. Seeking 3rd opinion on the exact cause-To arrest progression & obliterate pain(sic),” he tweeted.

The Congress on Tuesday dismissed as “rumours” reports that Mr Maken has resigned from the party chief post and said he has gone for a medical checkup abroad and continues holding the post.

AICC incharge of Delhi affairs P.C. Chacko had said that Mr Maken was abroad for medical check up and he had informed him as well as Congress president Rahul Gandhi about his trip. He said that Mr Maken has not resigned and will continue to be the Delhi Congress Chief.

“He has left and has informed Congress president Rahul Gandhi and me about his medical checkup. He will return on September 22,” Mr Chacko said, adding “ “Mr Maken will resume work after returning to Delhi on September 22.”

Delhi Congress chief spokesperson Sharmishtha Mukherjee had asserted, “Resignation of Ajay Maken is completely a rumour. He is and will remain our president.”

Senior party leader Mukesh Sharma said Mr Maken would address a ‘mahapanchayat’ of 365 villages against “illegal” sealing in South Delhi’s Rangpuri on September 23.