Patients cry foul as sick Chhagan Bhujbal holds daily darbar at JJ Hospital

Former deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who was arrested in an alleged money-laundering case in March 2016, seems to be having a field day at the state-run J.J. Hospital, where he has been kept in a separate room, which is actually the changing room of the medicos.

Bhujbal allegedly also meets his family and party workers everyday during non-visiting hours.

On Wednesday morning, women and child development minister and senior BJP leader Pankaja Munde met him around 11 am. A close aide of Munde said that the late BJP leader Gopinath Munde had high regards for Bhujbal. “He considered him as an efficient OBC leader. The two families are very close, (which is) the reason why Pankaja met him. She also met the hospital staff and inquired about his treatment,” the aide said.

Bhujbal has been kept in a room at J.J. Hospital on the first floor (ward no. 9) next to the female ward, while all the other patients are admitted on the ground floor. When contacted, doctors said that Bhujbal was stable but still down with fever. He is eating well and is apparently in good spirits. A spot visit by the The Asian Age correspondent at the hospital revealed Bhujbal’s aides and family members walking in and out of his room frequently during non-visiting hours.

Bhujbal was rushed to the hospital on Saturday for suspected dengue from Arthur Road jail after his health worsened. He tested negative for dengue.

The Enforcement Directorate had arrested Bhujbal in March in an alleged money-laundering case.

Meanwhile, a majority of the patients and their relatives at JJ Hospital are unhappy with the special treatment being meted out to Bhujbal. Lakmi Bai, who is suffering from a kidney disorder, complained that she was forced to sleep on a mattress on the floor. “Why are they giving special treatment to this minister who took public money ” she asked.

Dean of JJ Hospital Dr T.P. Lahane said that Bhujbal’s pulse is low. “It is around 50 where as normal is 72. He is suffering from arthritis. We are providing him with all the necessary medical treatment,” he said.

When asked about the special room allotted to Bhujbal, Dr Lahane said that Bhujbal is with police protection. “The patients around him would be disturbed, the reason why we have kept him aloof from all the patients,” he said.

“The hospital had 1,350 beds and 1,700 patients,” Dr Lahane added.

Senior Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Bala Nangoankar said that Bhujbal served as the deputy chief minister so people will come to see him. “But the hospital administration should take care that it does not affect other patients,” Mr Nangoankar said.