Manmohan Singh to visit critically ill Jyoti Basu

Kolkata, Jan 7 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is expected to visit the AMRI hospital in Salt Lake to see CPM leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, whose health condition is still reported to be critical.

Basu's health condition deteriorated on Wednesday morning following which he has been put on a ventilator for the last 24 hours.

There are reports that despite Basu's condition critical, his blood pressure has stabilized.

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is also expected to visit the AMRI hospital to see Basu on Thursday.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and his party colleague, politburo member Sitaram Yechury, will also meet Basu on Thursday in view of his deteriorating health condition.

Basu is being treated for pneumonia at the AMRI hospital in Salt Lake here.

The 95-year-old former West Bengal Chief Minister was kept under observation for the last three days in the ICU.

The veteran leader was admitted here on Friday following a severe chest infection.

The doctors after conducting a proper check-up had earlier detected that he was suffering from slight pneumonia.

Earlier in July 2009, Basu was admitted to the hospital complaining of discomfort in the abdomen and a disturbed sleep. (ANI)