Kerala speaker unwell

The health of Kerala Speaker G. Karthikeyan, who is undergoing treatment of the liver at a hospital in Bengaluru, has taken a turn for the worse and is now serious, a source said Friday.

"He (Karthikeyan) has been in the hospital there for a few days now," said a top Kerala government source, who did not wish to be identified.

The source said the speaker's condition is serious.

In October last year, Karthikeyan sought expert treatment at the US-based Mayo Clinic and after a week he returned and was convalescing here. He did not take part in the assembly session held in December.

Karthikeyan was present at the opening ceremony of the National Games held here Jan 31, but fell ill again after a few days.

Some Kerala ministers have already met the ailing speaker at the hospital and sources said former defence minister A.K. Antony broke down on hearing the condition of his former colleague.

The mild mannered veteran Congress leader who hails from the capital district has been in politics from his student days and is a six time legislator. He was a cabinet minister twice.