BJP workers keep close vigil on Mahajan's health

Mumbai, Apr 23 (UNI) Even as BJP leader Pramod Mahajan battles for his life for the second consecutive day, hundreds of party workers and well-wishers continue to gather outside the Hinduja hospital keeping a close vigil on the developments of his health.

The popularity of Mahajan,the high profile second generation BJP leader, can be gauged by the stream of visitors cutting across party lines and from all walks of life at the hospital enquiring about his health.

The BJP leader, who was shot at point blank by his younger brother Pravin, is still battling for life with doctors yet to remove the three bullets lodged in his abdomen.

Shivaji Pujari, party officebearer from Mumbai, said, ''I cannot believe that he was shot. If there is any leader I follow after Atalji and Advaniji it is Pramod Mahajan''.

Like Pujari, hundreds of party workers are camping outside the hospital to express sympathy and solidarity for their leader.

Banners and hoardings with messages such as, ''we pray and wish Shri Pramod Mahajan's speedy recovery'' are put up across makeshift Pandal outside the hospital.

Meanwhile, at Jijamata Nagar, muslim BJP members under the leadership of Zurugam Khan and others offered special namaz for the fast recogery of their leader.

Septuagenarian, Kamala Sundaram, a BJP member from Matunga, said, ''I am an ordinary worker of the party but when ever Pramodji visits us he addresses me as 'tai' or ma''.

Several party workers are still in shock and disbelief like Ankush Ayday from Sewri, ''I am equally feeling the pain like his other family members, '' he said.

Echoing similar tune, Sunanda Kulkarni from Wadala in Central Mumbai stated that her entire neighbourhood is sad and is glued to tehir television sets eagerly waiting and praying for positive development of their leaders health.

Some 23 bottles of blood given to Mahajan last evening were donated by the assembled workers. Mayura Pari from Mahim said, '' I gave my blood last night and am willing to donate more to save his life''.

Meanwhile,the party workers camping outside the hospital are resorting to community prayers for Mahajan's fast recovery.

State BJP president Nitin Gadkari will hold a special ''abhishek'' for Mahajan's well being at the Siddhivinayak temple tomorrow morning, sources said.

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