Chhagan Bhujbal meets partymen during non-visiting hours at JJ Hospital

Former deputy chief minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has been shifted from the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of JJ Hospital to a special room on the first floor at ward no. 10.

Five of the seven acquaintances that came to meet him were let in during non-visiting hours. Party workers and former colleagues also visited him on Monday.

Doctors said Bhujbal was stable but still down with fever. He is eating well and is apparently in good spirits.

He was also seen cracking jokes with ward boys, said a hospital source, who did not wish to be named.

When The Asian Age visited the hospital, Bhujbal was seen sitting on a bed and chatting with a few party workers, who had come to see him during the non-visiting hours.

According to the dean of JJ Hospital, Dr T.P Lahane, “I am unaware about people meeting him during the non-visiting hours, as he is under tight security. We are providing him with all the necessary medical treatment.”

Dr Lahane added: “Following blood tests, Chhagan Bhujbal tested negative for dengue on Sunday. He is suffering from some viral infection. He has arthritis and heart blockage.”

“His fingers and joints have swollen up. His high blood pressure is normal but he still has red patches all over his skin. We will have to conduct cardiology tests and see,” he further said.

Bhujbal was admitted in the hospital from Arthur Road Jail after his health worsened owing to low blood pressure, diabetes and high fever.

Hospital authorities said the minister had shown symptoms of dengue, but the test results turned out to be negative.