Lalu cries political conspiracy after shifted out from AIIMS

Convicted RJD chief Lalu Prasad was on Monday shifted to a Ranchi hospital for follow-up treatment -- after he met Congress chief Rahul Gandhi at AIIMS where he was undergoing treatment for heart and kidney related ailments.

The decision by AIIMS authorities sparked off an angry reaction from Lalu Prasad, who asked doctors not to endanger his life under political pressure.

Talking to reporters after being discharged, the RJD leader said shifting him back to the Ranchi hospital was a conspiracy so that his health would deteriorate further. "I am being shifted to a place where there are no facilities. It is a tough time, but I will face it."

But AIIMS spokesperson B.N. Acharya said the decision was taken following the recommendation of a medical board constituted for his treatment who found significant improvement in his health.

"Lalu Prasad was referred from Ranchi medical college to AIIMS for management of his acute medical condition. He has improved significantly and as per advise of the medical board constituted for his treatment, he is being referred back to Ranchi medical college for management of his chronic issues. He is currently stable and is fit to travel," Acharya said in a statement.

The former Bihar Chief Minister, who was admitted to AIIMS on March 29, wrote in a letter to AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria: "If I am sent from AIIMS to Ranchi medical college, in case of any danger to my life, sole responsibility will be on you all.

"Doctors are a reflection of god. They should not take any decision under pressure from any individual or political party. Their first duty is towards complete recovery of the patient's health. Till the time I am fully healthy, I should be kept here for treatment," he added.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi called on Lalu Prasad at AIIMS and had a half hour meeting with him.

A medical team of six doctors from departments of surgery, cardiology, nephrology and neurology had been overseeing Lalu Prasad's treatment at AIIMS.

In his letter, the former Bihar Chief Minister said he was brought to AIIMS for better treatment of heart disease, kidney infection, sugar and other ailments and he was yet to fully recover.

He said he had backache, frequent dizziness and had fallen in the bathroom several times.

Lalu Prasad said comprehensive treatment for kidney-related diseases was not available at the Birsa Munda Jail, Ranchi, and the Ranchi Medical College and Hospital, Ranchi (the old name of RIMS).

"Every citizen has the fundamental right to get full treatment as per his satisfaction," he said.

"I don't know under which agency or political pressure the sudden decision to shift me from here is being taken," he said, and added that it would take 16 hours by train to travel from Delhi to Ranchi.

He was admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) on March 17 following complaints of uneasiness when he was lodged at the Birsa Munda Jail where he is serving a jail term since December 23, 2017 in connection with the fodder scam.

He has been convicted in four fodder scam cases since 2013 -- the latest being the Dumka treasury case in which a special CBI court sentenced him to 14 years in jail.

--IANS

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