Sonia Gandhi Admitted To Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Again

Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Delhi's Ganga Ram Hospital in January this year for a routine check-up.

NEW DELHI: Former Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has been admitted to Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said reports on Friday. Unconfirmed reports initially said that she has been hospitalised due to acute bronchitis. The hospital has issued a statement in which it said her condition is stable. She was admitted to the hospital on Thursday, it added.

She is said to be under the supervision of Arup Basu, senior consultant, Department of Chest Medicine, and his team, "on account of fever". "Sonia Gandhi is under observation and undergoing investigations. Her condition is stable," the hospital said in a bulletin. 

This is the second time that she has been admitted to the hospital this year. In January, the 76-year-old former Congress chief was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for treatment of a viral respiratory infection. Then, her daughter and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accompanied her to the hospital. According to the party sources, Sonia Gandhi has been suffering from a respiratory infection. Sources then said the admission was for a routine check-up.

Sonia Gandhi was last seen in the 85th Congress Plenary Session held recently in Raipur. She had earlier participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra on December 24 last year in Delhi. According to Congress sources, Sonia Gandhi has not been keeping well for some time. 

While addressing the 85th plenary session of the party, Sonia Gandhi said that she was happy that her innings have "concluded with the Bharat Jodo Yatra," triggering speculations about her retirement from active politics. During her speech, Sonia Gandhi also launched an all-out attack on the BJP government, accusing it of "fuelling the fire of hatred" and "viciously targeting minorities, women, Dalits and tribals". 

A Resolution of Appreciation was also passed in her honour after the plenary marked a formal end to her 25-year stint as the Congress president - the longest ever in the party. However, Congress spokesperson Alka Lamba later clarified that she has not retired, but will continue to bless and guide the party leaders and workers.