NEW DELHI, March 21 � Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi today underwent a minor surgery undertaken to replace his pacemaker�s generator. He is likely to be discharged tomorrow.
Gogoi, who was reported unwell, was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital last evening for a check-up, when he was advised to stay overnight for medical examination. He was taken to the operation theatre this morning. He underwent surgery this afternoon to replace the generator of his pacemaker after its battery depleted. The device was also calibrated, said sources.
The Chief Minister was kept inside the operation theatre for over an hour before he was wheeled out to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Cardiology Department for observation. He is likely to remain under observation tonight before being discharged. �Gogoi was stated to be okay as there was no criticality.
The generator sends the electrical pulses that correct or set the heart rhythm, and the wires carry pulses to and from various chambers of the heart and the generator.
The operation was undertaken by a team of doctors led by cardiologist Dr Pradeep Jain. The Chief Minister had his pacemaker replaced last year at the same hospital. There was however, no official word on Gogoi�s health condition from the hospital authorities.
The Chief Minister�s close relatives besides his wife Dolly Gogoi and son Gaurav Gogoi were with him.
However, there was confusion whether the Chief Minister would stay back for a while to recuperate. Officials accompanying him disclosed that Gogoi might opt to go back to Guwahati after being discharged from the hospital to join the campaign trail.
But sources said that his plans depended on the time of his discharge and the medical advice, amidst indication that Gogoi might prefer to stay for a couple of days.
However, partymen fear that the Chief Minister may have to cut down his hectic campaign schedule given his health condition. Gogoi underwent a major heart surgery last July to replace his heart valve.
Meanwhile, the AICC till late this evening has not announced the candidates for Guwahati (West) and Sarbhog constituencies. The party is also likely to change its candidate for Kokrajhar (West ST) seat Reena Brahma. Lobbying for replacement of candidate for Bhavanipur seat is also on. Phani Talukdar is lobbying for the seat, where Dr Manjushree Pathak has been nominated.
