NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhiwas on Monday admitted to AIIMS hospital after she was taken ill in the Lok Sabhawhere her pet welfare legislation and UPA’s ambitious Food Security Bill was in the final stages of adoption.
67-year-old Sonia left the Lok Sabha while the voting was under way on Monday night on various amendments moved by the opposition and was rushed to AIIMS. Ironically, Sonia could not be present in the lower house when the landmark bill was passed.
“There is nothing to worry. She is completely fine”, said senior Congress leader Janardhan Dwivedi, a close aide of the Gandhi family, as several leaders of the Congress made a beeline to AIIMS to inquire about Sonia’s condition.
Dwivedi said that based on the available information from doctors some medicines did not suit her and problems erupted because of their reactions. The Congress president has appealed that everyone should leave the hospital, she said.
AIIMS hospital sources said Sonia complained of exhaustion and mild chest pain and was taken to the intensive care unit(ICU) as a precautionary measure before she was shifted to the cardio-neuro centre.
Sources told PTI Sonia underwent some tests including an ECG and is under observation at AIIMS where top doctors of the institute including its director R C Deka are attending on her. Balram Airon, head of cardio-Thoracic surgery department, is monitoring Sonia’s health condition.
Sonia was stated to be suffering from viral fever since Sunday and was suddenly taken ill after spearheading UPA’s ambitious Food Security Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
She was seen leaving Parliament at 8.15pm and holding the hand of Union minister Selja before boarding a vehicle. Her son and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also accompanied her.
Security has been beefed in and around AIIMS. In a tweet, Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj wished Sonia a speedy recovery.
Doctors earlier examined Sonia at her home on Sunday and Monday, sources said.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi led the party in the debate on the landmark bill describing it as a measure to wipe out hunger from the country.
