Prafulla Mahanta Health Update: 'Former CM's condition not serious'

GUWAHATI: A day after Prafulla Mahanta, two-time former chief minister of Assam, was airlifted to AIIMS in New Delhi for treatment, a close aide has revealed that his condition is "not serious."

 

"Prafulla Mahanta is not serious at the moment. Initially, there were lots of speculations about his health as he was shifted in an air ambulance. However, he is relatively healthy," the source told Inside NE.

 

According to the source, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) politician underwent a series of tests at Guwahati's downtown hospital recently. He was flown to Delhi on the advice of the reigning chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal.

 

"Assam's chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, while enquiring about his health, advised that he should be shifted to a good medical institution in New Delhi for his treatment," the source further stated, adding that he was flown to AIIMS to keep him good stead for the ensuing Assembly elections -- a naturally exhausting time for politicians.

 

Since patients undergoing treatment at AIIMS need to be hospitalized as per rule, Mahanta has been kept there for observation.

 

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"That is probably what has ignited the rumours and speculation about Mahanta's health condition; at the moment, he is doing fine and his family is there in New Delhi taking care of him," the source further informed.

 

The 67-year-old Prafulla Mahanta is said to be suffering from hypertension, slip disc, and gastritis. He also suffers from diabetes.

 

The former student leader, who steered the six-year-long Assam agitation against illegal migrants, is currently an MLA from the Baharampur assembly constituency, which he has won for five consecutive terms since 1991.

 

Mahanta led the AGP to power twice in 1985 and 1996 with his first government dismissed and President's Rule imposed in the state but he completed his second term and lost to the Congress in 2001.

 

He was the president of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) that spearheaded the Assam movement against illegal foreigners in the state.