Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's health is going downhill and he is on constant oxygen support at home, confirmed a CPI(M) source in Kolkata. Doctors confirmed his condition as irreversible.
Bhattacharjee, who is past 70, is suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for the last decade. He was a chain smoker who quit smoking only a few years back. He refused to go to the hospital and remained at his small apartment in Kolkata’s Palm Avenue, near Ballygunge.
Bhattacharjee, who almost stayed away from active politics, has been a regular at the state party office of the CPI(M) in Kolkata’s Alimuddin Street. But for the last fortnight, he had given it a miss due to his complicated health situation.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Bhattacharjee’s residence and asked the government to set up a medical board to get him admitted to a hospital, but he has declined the request. A pulmologist, cardiac specialist, internal medicine expert along with critical medicine experts are part of the doctors' list.
“Buddha da spoke to the chief minister despite being in bed. The chief minister requested him to get admitted to hospital,” said a CPI(M) leader.
No visitor is allowed to meet him, baring a few CPI(M) senior leaders such as Surjya Kanta Mishra or Biman Bose. The party is closely monitoring Bhattacharjee's health situation and taking necessary measures.
“Yes, the situation is not good. His organs do not receive enough oxygen. If situation deteriorates, we will admit him to a hospital. We have a plan for it,” said a senior CPI(M) state committee leader.
