ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Just how sick is the PM?

George Iype in New Delhi

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's reportedly deteriorating health is causing grave concern in Bharatiya Janata Party circles.

The BJP leadership has repeatedly dismissed newspaper reports that the prime minister is seriously ill, suffering from prostrate cancer.

Though no medical confirmation is available, BJP insiders admit that Vajpayee's cheerfulness has vanished and his ability to mesmerise crowds with non-stop rhetoric considerably weakened.

"It is true that Vajpayeeji is now showing symptoms of extreme tiredness. It may be because as prime minister he is very busy, compared to the relaxed schedule he had all these years," a media advisor to Vajpayee told Rediff On The NeT

"After assuming the responsibilities as the prime minister, Vajpayee's physical responses have surely slowed down," he admitted.

During the Independence Day celebrations Saturday morning, Vajpayee clearly showed signs of extreme fatigue. Soon after addressing the nation from the Red Fort, he took a few steps forward, but faltered and had to return and lean on the dais. Vajpayee again attempted to walk towards the seated dignitaries, but staggered into the arms of the Special Protection Group personnel near the stairs of the podium.

Though a stretcher was brought to move the prime minister, Vajpayee recovered and walked to a special room, and then to his car.

The Prime Minister's Office later announced that Vajpayee staggered due to a muscle pull. An SPG official told Rediff On The NeT that early Saturday morning, the prime minister had slipped several times during his engagement at Rajghat. The official, however, did not rule out the possibility that Vajpayee may have slipped in front of Mahatma Gandhi samadhi because the ground was wet from rain.

The PMO has asked the SPG why a carpet was not laid around the samadhi for Vajpayee.

"His listless movements during the Independence Day engagements are attributed to cramps. But I feel he is becoming less and less active these days," the SPG official remarked.

Though the PMO and the BJP leadership have reiterated that there is no cause for alarm, more reports about Vajpayee's ill-health are trickling in day by day.

On Monday, the Asian Age newspaper reported that one of Vajpayee's kidneys was removed because of tumour in the mid-80s. Such tumours, the paper added, can spread to the lungs, liver or the bones.

The PMO, however, scoffed at the report and announced Vajpayee's hectic tour schedule for the next two weeks in an attempt to ward off speculations.

However, a section of the BJP leaders feel that Vajpayee might resign on health grounds soon. In such an event, Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani would step into Vajpayee's shoes, they say.

Tell us what you think of this report