Jaitley calls on Lalu Prasad in Mumbai hospital

Union Defence and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday called on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad who underwent heart surgeries Wednesday, an official said.

Jaitley arrived at the Asian Heart Institute (AHI) in Bandra-Kurla Complex Thursday morning and visited Lalu Prasad.

The senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader was accompanied by AHI chief and renowned heart surgeon Ramakanta Panda, hospital medical director Vijay D'Silva and other senior officials.

The former Bihar chief minister underwent a marathon six-hour-15-minute-long surgery Wednesday to treat his heart conditions. He is now reported to be fine.

Panda said three procedures were carried out on Lalu - one for an aortic valve replacement, an aortic repair and repairing a 3 mm hole in the heart.

Lalu tolerated the surgeries very well and is likely to be discharged within 10-12 days. He will be declared fit for part-time political activities in a fortnight and fulltime in a month, Panda added.

Meanwhile, many RJD activists from Bihar and a stream of political visitors continued to come to the hospital to enquire about his health.