New Delhi: Former Defence Minister Jaswant Singh is in a ‘highly critical’ condition and in coma on Friday after suffering from a head injury following a fall at his house in the national capital, the government said.
76-year-old Jaswant was brought to the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) at around 1 am ‘with injury to his head’, the Defence Ministry said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first political leaders to speak to the former BJP leader’s family.
He also offered prayers for his ‘speedy recovery’.
“Urgent CT scan of the head showed ‘an acute subdural haematoma with mass effect, a midline shift and contusion of the brain substance’,” they said.
The hospital statement said, “A life-saving decompressive hemicraniectomy was done” on Jaswant Singh, who quit the BJP before the Lok Sabha election this year after he was denied a party ticket.
Doctors said that they conducted a neurological procedure in which a part of the skull is removed to allow a swelling brain room to expand without being squeezed.It is usually performed on victims of traumatic brain injury and stroke, they said.
Born in Barmer in Rajasthan January 3, 1938, Jaswant Singh was one of the most prominent leaders of the BJP and was a close associate of its stalwarts, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Advani.
After serving the Indian Army for nine years, Jaswant Singh went on to play a major role in the Vajpayee-led governments.
He was also widely seen as one of the BJP’s moderate faces.
He headed key ministries including defence, finance and external affairs during the three Vajpayee’s tenure – 1996, 1998-99 and 1999-2004.He was elected to Parliament nine times – four times to the Lok Sabha and five times to the Rajya Sabha.
Once Modi took virtual charge of the party ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Jaswant Singh got sidelined and was denied party nomination to contest from Barmer. He unsuccessfully contested as an Independent candidate.
At his hometown, prayers were being organized for his speedy recovery.
“People here are shocked to hear this news. He is one of the top leaders of the state,” said RK Singh, a resident of Barmer.
“Prayers are being organized in temples and mosques in Barmer, Balotra and Jasol for his well being. We our sure our leader will soon be hale and hearty,” said Mahendra Singh, a local entrepreneur.
In some of the places, particularly Jasol, where Jaswant Singh was born, women with tears in their eyes were seen gathered at temples to pray for his well being.
“He is a fighter and will certainly come out of this soon,” said a local resident.
Singh was expected to visit Barmer to attend a function on August 13.
