Senior BJP leader Ashok Bhatt critical, put on ventilator in Ahmedabad

Senior BJP leader and state assembly speaker Ashok Bhatt was put on ventilator after he developed breathing and heart-related problems at SAL hospital here on Saturday morning. The 71-year-old leader's condition is said to be stable but next 48 hours are crucial for him.

Bhatt was admitted to the SAL hospital a couple of days ago. "Bhatt was operated for angioplasty on Saturday morning after he developed breathing problem. However, when his blood pressure continued going down, he was put on ventilator," said hospital sources, adding "next 48 hours are crucial for the senior leader". Bhatt has not been keeping well for the past few months and he was admitted to hospital thrice in this month.

On Saturday morning, he was suffering from low blood pressure and breathing problem. Therefore, a team of doctors performed angioplasty on him. When his condition went on deteriorating, he was put on ventilator. He also fell unconscious.

Many senior BJP leaders and ministers, including chief minister Narendra Modi, visited the hospital on Saturday evening to inquire about his health.

Bhatt has been a BJP MLA consecutively since 1975 and represented Khadia seat eight times.