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Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad was admitted to the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi Wednesday night after being airlifted from a Patna hospital where he underwent initial treatment for multiple fractures suffered due to a fall, party sources said.
The 74-year-old former Bihar chief minister was accompanied by a team of doctors and his eldest daughter Misa Bharti, a Rajya Sabha MP who is also an MBBS.
His wife Rabri Devi and younger son Tejashwi Yadav reached Delhi earlier in the day to oversee the arrangements.
Lalu Prasad was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences around 9.35 pm, the sources said.
Earlier, speaking with the media, Tejashwi Yadav said Lalu Prasad suffered fractures in three places, including shoulder, after a fall at his house and complications increased as the body is 'locked' and he is unable to move much.
The leader had taken ill on Monday and was admitted to a private hospital in Patna, less than 24 hours after he suffered the injuries.
Lalu Prasad's wife and former chief minister Rabri Devi, who reached Delhi Wednesday, said, "His (Lalu's) health is slightly better now."
In a message to RJD workers and Lalu Prasad's supporters, Rabri Devi said, "Don't worry, he is being treated and will recover. Everyone should pray for him that he recovers soon."
Speaking with reporters alongside his mother in New Delhi, Tejashwi Yadav said, "We are bringing him to AIIMS Delhi as better treatment can be done here with the doctors well-versed with his medical history."
"He has a fracture in three places after the fall. Complications increased after the fall as the body got locked, he is unable to move much," the leader of opposition in the Bihar assembly said.
Earlier in the day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday called on Lalu Prasad and enquired about the health of the septuagenarian, who was admitted to a private hospital's ICU in Patna.
Kumar visited the Paras Hospital, where Prasad has been admitted since Monday, a day after he had a fall at his home and fractured his shoulder.
The CM spoke to the team of doctors attending to the ailing RJD leader, in the presence of Prasad's sons Tejashwi and Tej Pratap.
Later, talking to reporters, Kumar said, "There seems to be some improvement in Laluji's condition since he was admitted. But, it would be proper if he is taken to Delhi for better treatment. I pray for his speedy recovery."
Kumar was also asked about his old ties with Prasad, with whom his political rivalry has been the stuff of legends.
"We go a long way back. We have known each other since both of us were young," said the chief minister who, though younger to Prasad, is now himself on the wrong side of 70.
He also said the RJD supremo will get help from the state government towards medical expenses, as per rules.
Tejashwi, the leader of the opposition, was full of gratitude for 'people from all political affiliations,' who have called up and expressed their sympathy in these trying times.
"The chief minister has been in touch ever since my father got hospitalised. Yesterday, I received a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides Soniaji (Congress president) and Priyankaji," said the young leader.
He said there were plans to take his father to Singapore for a kidney transplant, but "following his recent fracture, we will go by the opinion of what doctors in Delhi suggest. If they allow, we will like to take him abroad."
Later, Tejashwi along with mother Rabri Devi, wife Rajshri and close aide Manoj Jha, left for the national capital.
According to sources close to the family, Prasad, who is on oxygen support, will be taken to New Delhi by an air ambulance in the evening.