COVID-19: Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee Critical After Lifesaving Surgery

New Delhi (Sputnik): Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee was admitted to a Delhi hospital on Monday. Mukherjee himself tweeted that he tested positive for COVID-19 during a visit to the hospital and asked everyone who came in contact with him to self-isolate and get tested for the infection.

Ex-Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, who was admitted to the Army Hospital in New Delhi where he tested positive for COVID-19, is "critical and on ventilator support".

A medical bulletin issued by the Army Research and Referral Hospital said he had undergone an emergency lifesaving surgery to remove a large brain clot.

Mukherjee's son Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted seeking prayers for the speedy recovery of his father.

"Please pray for my father #PranabMukherjee for his speedy recovery! We need your good wishes", reads the tweet.

Happy Janmashtami to All of You .
Please pray for my father #PranabMukherjee for his speedy recovery !
We need your good wishes 🙏 pic.twitter.com/91EPIuNIBw

— Abhijit Mukherjee (@ABHIJIT_LS) August 11, 2020

​Eighty-four-year-old Mukherjee was the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017. He served in different positions in the federal government – as foreign, defence, commerce ,and finance minister.

Mukherjee's political career started as deputy minister in the federal Ministry of Industry, Shipping and Transport and junior minister in the Finance Ministry between 1973-74 in a government headed by the late Indira Gandhi. He was also the deputy chairman of the federal Planning Commission from 1991-96.