Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addresses the media at his residence in New Delhi. (PTI file photo)

NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee , who has been ailing for long, was admitted to AIIMS on Monday, sparking concern which saw PM Narendra Modi along with several others rushing to the institute. Vajpayee, who has been bed-ridden since 2009, has been suffering from lower respiratory tract infection and kidney- related issues.

In a late night statement, AIIMS said the former PM has been “diagnosed with a urinary tract infection” for which appropriate treatment is being given and a team of doctors are closely monitoring him. Sources in AIIMS described the condition of BJP stalwart as “critical”, with his sole kidney and lung performing at their lowest capacity.

However, Aarti Vij, chairperson of AIIMS’ media and protocol division, said, “The former Prime Minister has been admitted for examination and management.

He is stable.” There was a risk of health emergency developing, sources said.

The 93-year-old will be under supervision of AIIMS director Randeep Guleria who has been treating him for nearly 15 years. Vajpayee, who is diabetic and has only one functional kidney, suffered a stroke in 2009 which affected his cognitive abilities. Later, he developed dementia.

Sources said he recently developed fever and he aspirated something, but the immediate trigger for his hospitalisation on Monday could not be ascertained.

The three-time former PM, the last between 1999 and 2004, had been restricted mostly to his residence on Krishna Menon Marg where a team of doctors, nurses and physiotherapists look after him 24x7.

He was admitted to the hospital at around 11.30 am. While it was initially said he had been taken for a routine check-up, concern about his condition soared by the evening with BJP chief Amit Shah as well as Congress president Rahul Gandhi visiting him at AIIMS.

PM Modi also reached the hospital and spent about 50 minutes in the cardio-neuro centre talking to doctors and Vajpayee’s family. BJP veteran L K Advani and Union health minister J P Nadda were among those who visited the hospital.



In Video: Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee rushed to AIIMS, health condition stable