Ex-Indian president Pranab infected
India's former president Pranab Mukherjee yesterday tested positive for coronavirus infection and was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral (R&R) Hospital in New Delhi.
Mukherjee himself broke the news about his testing Covid-19 positive yesterday afternoon after he went to a hospital for a routine check-up.
"On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for Covid19 today," the 84-year-old leader tweeted.
"I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for Covid-19," the Congress leader, who was president from 2012 to 2017, said.
A number of Indian politicians, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh Ka, tested positive in recent weeks and were in hospital.
Coronavirus has affected more than 22 lakh people till yesterday with 62,064 new cases in the last 24 hours while the death toll climbed to 44,386 with 1,007 more fatalities, the health ministry said.
Messages wishing speedy recovery for Pranab from leaders cutting across party lines poured in soon after the news about his test for Covid-19 positive broke.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern and wished Pranab, the first Bangali president of India, a speedy recovery.
"Concerned to hear about Former President Pranab Mukherjee Da testing positive for #COVID19. My prayers are with him & his family during this time and I wish him a speedy recovery," Mamata tweeted.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in his Twitter post: "Please take care sir. We are praying for your speedy recovery and good health @CitiznMukherjee (sic)."
Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken tweeted "Sir, wishing you a speedy recovery and a long and healthy life."
India's Railway Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted "I pray for the well-being and speedy recovery of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. I am confident he will be successful in recovering from the virus quickly. Wishing him strength and good health."
Among other leaders who sent Pranab "speedy recovery" messages are Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, BJP spokesman Syed Shanawaz Hussain and Dravida Munnetra Kazagham functionary Dayanidhi Maran.
Congress Party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala along with several other party leaders wished a speedy recovery to Mukherjee.
Abhijeet Mukherjee, the son of the former president, also tweeted, "I wish my father a speedy recovery ! I appeal to all my countrymen to pray for his speedy recovery & good health."