Deshmukh still under observation; Maha CM visits ailing leader

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Union Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, admitted to a private hospital here for liver-related illness, remained under observation on Wednesday.

The condition of the 67-year-old Deshmukh was described earlier in the day as 'still critical' by an official of the Global Hospitals where he was under treatment while his family members were quoted as saying that he had shown improvement since his admission on Monday evening.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and several ministerial colleagues visited the critically ailing leader.

Chavan accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and several other ministers visited the hospital and enquired about Deshmukh's condition with his family members.

Chavan declined to talk to the waiting mediapersons, but minister Pandurang Kadam and Congress MP Vilas Muttemwar said the family members informed them that Deshmukh was improving.

"What we know is that he is improving and his condition is better than what it was when he was in Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai (from where he was flown in an air ambulance here)," Muttemwar said.

Kadam, quoting family members of Deshmukh, said the former Maharashtra Chief Minister was improving.

Hospital authorities, however, continued to remain tight-lipped, maintaining that the family of Deshmukh had told them to respect their privacy and they themselves would communicate information through social media, if needed.

A team doctors of several specialities, including noted liver transplant surgeon Dr Mohamed Rela, is attending on Deshmukh, who is on life-support systems.

The hospital authorities had said on Tuesday that Deshmukh would be kept under observation for two days.

Meanwhile, Deshmukh's family members offered worship at the famous 11th century Sri Marundheeswarar (Lord Shiva) temple here on Tuesday night praying for his speedy recovery, temple sources said.