Mahajan will defeat death, says Vajpayee
"No efforts will be spared to provide good treatment"; Foreign doctors satisfied with approach: Shekhawat

CONCERNED VISITORS: The former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, addresses the media after visiting Pramod Mahajan at the Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai on Sunday. BJP leader Gopinath Munde and Mr. Mahajan's son Rahul Mahajan (extreme right) are also seen.

Mumbai: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Sunday expressed confidence that BJP General Secretary Pramod Mahajan would emerge victorious in his battle with death.

"Mujhe vishwas hai ki Pramodji ki jo pariksha ho rahi hai usme woh safal honge...maut ko maat dete huey vey jai ka sandesh leke hum logon ke saamne ayenge," (Pramod Mahajan will defeat death and emerge victorious in this test), Mr. Vajpayee said.

A visibly emotional Vajpayee, who flew in here to enquire about the health of Mr. Mahajan, said: "I have been told that there has been an improvement in his health as compared to Saturday. I met his family members, and they have displayed great courage in this moment of crisis."

Inspired youth

He said no efforts would be spared to provide the best of treatment to Mr. Mahajan.

Mr. Vajpayee said youth cutting across party lines had a fondness for Mr. Mahajan and his views and ideology had always inspired the younger generation.

Confirming the arrival of a team of foreign doctors in Hinduja Hospital where Mr. Mahajan is battling for life on ventilator, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said doctors from abroad were satisfied with the course of treatment.

During a brief interaction with media persons, he said he had spoken to the doctors attending on Mr Mahajan.

The Vice-President said if needed, doctors from other parts of the world and within the country would be consulted.

Stabilisation necessary

A team of British doctors and a few who have come from Hyderabad have already held detailed discussions with the team of five surgeons who operated on Mr. Mahajan.

The consensus that has emerged is to wait for his condition to stabilise first before attempting a second surgery to retrieve the three bullets still embedded in his body, hospital sources said.

Mr. Shekhawat thanked people for their support, prayers and concern for the injured BJP leader.

Rio expresses shock

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed shock at the attack on Mr. Mahajan.

Mr. Rio said all sensible people must condemn such acts of violence.

He conveyed his concerns and prayed for the early recovery of Mr. Mahajan so that he can continue his "maxim in the service of people."

Nagaland BJP leader M. C. Konyak and spokesman O. Mozamo Ngullie also expressed shock and prayed for early recovery of the leader. — PTI, UNI

V.P. Singh expresses shock

Delhi Special Correspondent writes:

The former Prime Minister, V.P. Singh, has expressed shock and sorrow over the attack on Mr. Pramod Mahajan and wished him an early recovery. ``I express my sorrow and pray for his early recovery,'' he said in a message.

Speedy recovery wished

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi spoke to Mr. Mahajan's son, Rahul, and wished his father a speedy recovery. Suspended Samajwadi Party MP, Raj Babbar, also expressed his deep anguish over the incident and wished Mr. Mahajan a fast recovery.

BSP chief Mayawati also sent a message wishing him an early recovery and good health.