Anil Biswas still critical

Kolkata, Mar 19 (UNI) The condition of CPI(M) state Committee Secretary Anil Biswas today remained 'critical but stable' as he was kept on life support at a city nursing home after a massive brain haemorrhage last night.

A bulletin issued by the nursing home said a seven-member board of doctors had been constituted for monitoring the condition of Mr Biswas, who underwent a brain surgery early today for removal of blood clot. The team of doctors 'reviewed' Mr Biswas this morning and subjected him to a CITI scan investigation. ''His condition remains critical but stable,'' the bulletin said.

Mr Biswas, admitted to ICCU, had been kept on life support system from the time of admission, the bulletin said.

He has been kept under constant observation by the attending doctors.

The 61-year-old CPI(M) leader fell ill last night at his residence before his scheduled departure for Malda on election campaign.

However, earlier in the day Mr Biswas presided over the CPI(M) state committee meeting and even held his usual media briefing in the evening.

Left Front Committee Chairman Biman Bose told reporters after an emergency meeting of the State Secretariat this afternoon that Mr Biswas started feeling sick after he reached home from the party office last night. A doctor, who was immediately called, advised him to be shifted to hospital.

Veteran Polit Bureau leader Jyoti Basu, who also participated in the meeting, said in reply to a question by reporters that the condition of Mr Biswas was not good. He said after carrying out the CITI scan, the doctors were expected to come to party's state headquarters to discuss the possible steps to be taken for the treatment of Mr Biswas.

The Secretariat, which reviewed the situation following the sudden illness of Mr Biswas, decided to distribute his responsibilities among several senior leaders of the party to continue the momentum of activities for the coming Assembly Elections.

Wife and daughter of Mr Biswas, besides a host of political leaders, including those from the opposition Congress, visited the nursing home to inquire about his health.

UNI KDG KK ARB GC1805