Stream of VIPs come to Mumbai to see Mahajan

Mumbai, Apr 22 (UNI) Even as senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan's condition continues to be ''critical'' after three gun shots, shattered his liver, pancreas and intestines a stream of VIP visitors has been visting the Hinduja hospital here where he is under constant observation after surgery in its intensive care unit.

Mr Pramod Mahajan was shot by his younger brother Pravin Mahajan at his Worli residence here his morning.

Heading the list of vistors was former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, who cut short his 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra' in Chhattisgarh to rush here he spent 15 minutes at the hospital and assured that the best possible medical treatment was being provided to Mr Mahajan and added the party prayed for his recovery soon.

''I can understand the anxiety of the people over the condition of Mr Mahajan, which,'' he said doctors told him ''was critical.'' ''The first important job was to stop the blood loss from the body, which has been successfully done,'' Mr Advani said.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar arrived at around 1537 hrs.

BJP vice president Venkaiah Naidu, who arrived at around 1400 hrs, said, ''We pray to God for his speedy recovery. He (Pramod) is under observation, and there is nothing more to say now.'' Ms Sushma Swaraj, during an interaction with media persons, described Mr Mahajan's condition as '' critical'', saying '' we are praying... it is now people's prayer and doctors treatment which should show result''. Apparantly hinting at the gravity of his condition, she said '' a miracle can happen in God's shrine ... our prayers may be answered by God''.

Mr Mukhtar Abbas Nagvi, also a BJP leader, said every member of the party across the country is praying for recovery of Mr Mahajan.

Recently re-instated BJP general secretary Sanjay Joshi, of the controversial CD-fame, also came to the Hinduja hospital to see Mr Mahajan.

Zee group Chairman Subhash Chandra Goyal also paid a visit to the hospital to know about Mr Mahajan's condition.

As he was coming out at around 1530 hrs, newly-launched Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray walked-in and exchanged a few words with Mr Goyal.

While Mr Mahajan's brother-in-law and BJP State Legislative Party leader Gopinath Munde had rushed wounded Mahajan to the hospital, former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi and State PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal had also come to the hospital enquire about Mr Mahajan's condition.

Shiv Sena executive president president Uddhav Thackeray, former Union Minister Ram Naik, former State Home Minister Kripa Shankar Singh, Shiv Sena MP Subhash Desai and State Energy Minister Dilip Walse Patil also went to the hospital.

Besides, cine star-turned politician Hema Malini, film actor and social activist Shabana Azmi and actor Sharad Kapoor were among others who also came to the hospital.

UNI Team GK PA VC1720