Surjeet's condition improves, ventilator support taken off

New Delhi, May 21 (UNI) Veteran CPI(M) leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet, who has been in a coma for almost a week, today showed signs of improvement in health, even as the ventilator support was taken off yesterday.

''His condition is still quite critical, though there are signs of improvement,'' Dr Purushottom Lal, who has been attending on him, said at a press conference.

The 92-year-old Marxist leader was admitted to the Metro Heart Hospital at Noida following acute respiratory problems a fortnight ago.

''Most of his parameters --heart beat, blood pressure and urinary functions-- are functioning normally,'' he said.

Left leader Sitaram Yechury, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav were among those who visited him at the hospital today.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Senior BJP leader L K Advani, UP Chief Minister Mayawati, former UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, and several Union Ministers had met Surjeet over the past few days to enquire about his condition.

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