A controversy has erupted over the decision of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to refer Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav back to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (popularly known as Ranchi Medical College) on Monday.
The veteran politician has written to AIIMS authorities to say that his condition is still not all right and alleged that he is being moved back under political pressure.
AIIMS has released a statement on Yadav's condition, stating that he has improved significantly. The premier health institute also said that as per advice of the medical board constituted for his treatment, the leader is being referred back to Ranchi Medical College for management of his chronic issues. “He is currently stable and fit to travel,” the statement further said.
Yadav, who was discharged from AIIMS on Monday, however, has written to Randeep Guleria, the institute director, to say that he wants to continue his treatment at the Delhi hospital.
“My condition is still not okay. I want to apprise you that I am suffering from heart disease, infection in the kidneys, blood sugar and other ailments. I have a backache, and I am having fainting spells because of which I have fallen in the bathroom several times,” he wrote.
He said Birsa Munda Jail, Ranchi, where he is housed following his conviction in cases related to the Fodder Scam, and Ranchi Medical College—where he was admitted before he was transferred to AIIMS—do not have adequate facilities for treatment of kidney issues.
“It is the right of every citizen that he gets adequate and satisfactory treatment. I don't know under pressure of which agency or political entity this decision to move me from here was taken,” the RJD leader wrote, hinting that the decision to move him back to Ranchi was taken under political pressure.
“If I am moved from AIIMS to Ranchi Medical College, and if this threatens my life in any way, the full responsibility for it will be on you,” he wrote.
Yadav's son, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also said that the decision to shift him back to Ranchi has been taken in haste. “AIIMS is much better and I wonder why this decision has been taken,” he said.
Yadav was admitted to AIIMS on March 29 after he was referred to the hospital by Ranchi Medical College.
Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi met Yadav at AIIMS on Monday. The meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of efforts being made by the Congress to stitch up an anti-BJP alliance. The Congress is keen on shoring up its alliance with the RJD in Bihar, where the BJP and the JD(U) form the rival front.