JMM chief Shibu Soren admitted to hospital with breathing problems

Shibu Soren, JMM president and Rajya Sabha MP, was admitted to Ranchi's Medanta Hospital on Thursday afternoon with a mild respiratory infection. The former Jharkhand chief minister, who turned 79 on January 11, complained of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing at his government residence in Ranchi after lunch. He was taken to hospital shortly after 3pm.

The management of Medanta Hospital said here that it was decided not to issue any medical bulletin to respect the privacy of the politician and his family. However, hospital sources said: "Initially, he underwent a series of medical examinations by a five-doctor medical board to ascertain any medical complications. It was then diagnosed that he had developed a mild respiratory infection. The doctors then decided to admit him for medical examination and follow-up.”

Later in the evening, Shiba was taken to the VIP cabin. Supriyo Bhattacharya, a veteran JMM leader and party spokesperson, said, "Guru Ji is stable and taking food orally. He has been admitted for a few days for better medical care."

JMM insiders said Shibu has been living with kidney disease for several years and is undergoing regular check-ups in New Delhi. Although he has largely withdrawn from public life, he attended the party's foundation day celebrations in Dumka and Dhanbad last week.