VIP flow declines at Hinduja; cops relax

Mumbai, Apr 24 (UNI) Two days and two surgeries after senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan was admitted with grievous gunshot wounds in Hinduja hospital here, the flow of VIP visitors to the hospital has declined and police seemed relaxed today.

Former BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Shushil Kumar Modi were the only prominent visitors to the hospital till this afternoon. Bollywood director-producer Madhur Bhandarkar was another noted visitor from the tinsel world.

The road, outside the hospital in Mahim which remained barred to people and vehicles in view of heavy flow of VIPs who included Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee yesterday and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on Saturday, was opened to general traffic today.

The main gate of the hospital, which remained closed for two days, was also opened to general visitors.

Children, who were barred these two days from playing at the sea beach at the rear side of the hospital, too, have returned, with the police relaxing the stringent security a bit.

The hospital staff, particularly those engaged in the treatment of Mr Mahajan, are also relieved at the reduced flow of VIP visitors.

The hospital's own security staff have resumed their position of authority, which stood eroded as the city police had virtually taken over the entire hospital complex in the last two days for security reasons.

Constable Mahesh Shinde, who looked haggard earlier, wore a relaxed look. ''Yes I am feeling a bit lightened... at ease today.'' His colleague Shivaji Kumare chimed in, ''Two days were indeed tense... it seems everything will be normal now.'' The flow of BJP workers and sympathisers have also reduced considerably. However, the makeshift 'pandal' erected adjacent to the hospital wall by the party remains in place. This is being used by party leaders to apprise workers of Mr Mahajan's health condition. It was in this 'pandal' that Mr Mahajan's brother-in-law and former State Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde and Mr Mahajan's son Rahul briefly interacted with the media and workers this afternoon.

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