(Image source from: CPI leader A B Bardhan)

CPI leader A B Bardhan, who lives in the party Headquarters in Delhi, lost consciousness yesterday and was immediately rushed to the hospital. The condition of CPI veteran AB Bardhan, who has suffered a paralytic stroke, continues to remain “critical”.

"Bardhanji has suffered a paralytic stroke on Monday. He is under close observation, but his condition is still critical," GB Pant Hospital, Medical Superintendent Dr S.M. Raheja said.

“He continues to remain critical. Doctors are trying their best,” CPI national secretary D Raja said.

“His daughter and grandson too are in the city to be by his side,” senior CPI leader Atul Anjan said. "He is under observation in ICU. The breathing support system is helping him. Doctors attending on him have said 72 hours are critical. It is good, drug administered to him have a little bit of effect and he is showing improvement,” Atul Anjan said.

"Yesterday, he was not responding much to the treatment, but now, in the morning when he was given an injection, he could open his eyes, his left leg also showed some movement. His will power is helping him recover," Anjan stated.

Bardhan was a leading figure of the trade union movement and Left politics in the Maharashtra and had won election as an Independent candidate in the Maharashtra Assembly in 1957. He later became the General Secretary and subsequently the President of the All India Trade Union Congress, the oldest trade union in India.

Bardhan has moved to Delhi politics in the 1990s and became the Deputy General Secretary of the CPI. He succeeded Indrajit Gupta as the General Secretary of the party in 1996.

Politicians, including NCP chief Sharad Pawar, CPI(M) parliamentarian Mohammed Salim and party Politburo member Brinda Karat, trade unionists and Left cadre activists were amongst those who visited the hospital to inquire about Bardhan's health.

By Premji