Bhagwant Mann in and out of hospital: Why Oppn makes an issue of Punjab CM's health

MAnnPunjab chief government minister Bhagwant horace mann, 52, was admitted to Fortis infirmary in Mohali this hebdomad, and left wing later to attend a mega rally in Moga district, in a sequence of events that's handed the state's opposition parties a fresh chance to raise questions.On Sunday, Mann was attending Mahashivratri celebrations at the Rankeshwar Mahadev Temple on his home turf of Dhuri in Sangrur district, alongside Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, when he felt unwell. He was flown to Chandigarh and rushed to the hospital in Mohali.Fortis Hospital said he was in for a “routine medical evaluation”. A February 15 bulletin said: “He is currently experiencing exhaustion and has been admitted for observation and supportive care.”Opposition politicians still recalled Mann's past habit of drinking alcohol, with no fresh evidence.In and out of hospitalOn Monday morning, February 16, Mann was discharged. He posted on social media: "A massive rally is being held today by the Aam Aadmi Party at Killi Chahlan village near Moga... See you there, friends," in Punjabi. He proceeded directly to Moga to address the event under the government's anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ (War Against Drugs).“We are breaking the drug supply chain, rehabilitating addicts and taking strict action against drug suppliers,” the ex-comedian said in a sharp speech, attacking previous governments.The rally — a government event but also a show of strength with hardly a year left for the state elections — was addressed by Kejriwal, AAP's Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia, and ministers too. The state's police chief, DGP Gaurav Yadav, said Punjab achieved over 90 per cent conviction rate under the anti-narcotics law, the highest in the country. His and the chief secretary's being part of the event led to a controversy on the side.That aside, Bhagwant Mann was back at Fortis Hospital in Mohali on Monday evening, after returning from Moga, according to news agency PTI. He was under observation under a multidisciplinary medical team, with his condition described as stable, the report said.The AAP has said the CM's health issues stem from exhaustion due to a heavy schedule.Yet, it became a political issue, as Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira, formerly with the AAP, alleged that Mann still drinks alcohol, a habit he claimed to have got rid of. “How can he, then, administer a vow against addiction? If he does not drink, he should publicly say that on video.”But Khaira's assertions have much to do with the past, and persistent attacks on Mann over his hospital visits.A vow, and Opposition's attacksAs an MP from Sangrur between 2014 and 2019, the star comedian-turned-politician had to face derisive nicknames after allegations from across party lines that he attended Parliament and public events in a drunken state.In January 2019, at a party rally in Barnala, Mann stood before the crowd and announced his New Year's resolution. He pledged — “in my mother's name and before the people of Punjab” — that he would “never touch alcohol again”. AAP supremo Kejriwal hailed the vow as “a sacrifice for Punjab”.The promise, however, did not silence rivals who continued to take personal digs. In 2022, during the election campaign, then Punjab CM and Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi alleged: “In 2019, Mann publicly took an oath in his mother's name to give up drinking. But he broke the vow.” Mann denied the allegations. Channi provided no evidence.Mann-led AAP won the state election with a historic mandate, and he became the chief minister.But the digs returned every time he had a health issue. In September last year, the CM was admitted to Fortis Mohali with high fever, exhaustion, low heart rate and digestive issues, reportedly triggered by exposure to contaminated water during flood-relief tours in Punjab. A year before that, he was at Fortis due to irregular blood pressure. He was at Delhi's Apollo Hospital, too, in the first year of his tenure.‘No need to be crude’Dr Piara Lal Garg, a physician and political activist, called for a measured, mature response from all sides. He noted that a public official's health is not a private matter beyond a point.“Indeed, he is not longer just Bhagwant Mann; he is the chief minister. So, there needs to be a clear statement with some level of disclosure on his health, while taking care of his privacy,” Dr Garg said, speaking to HT on Tuesday.“None of it means there can be insensitive statements and personal abuse. Even our culture does not allow us to hit someone when down, especially in terms of health. Political discourse must not be crude,” he added.History professor and political analyst Harjeshwar Pal Singh told HT, “Pro-active disclosure prevents speculation and rumour-mongering.”AAP's internal wrangling“I think Mann is psychologically under pressure," Dr Garg theorised, “The Delhi-based leadership of AAP is seen to be running Punjab; and Mann's physical health may not be the only thing bothering him. We should wish him well."There are reports in Punjab-based media that Kejriwal-led AAP is considering appointing two deputy CMs to balance power and caste or community equations. Names of leaders from the Dalit community, such as minister Harpal Singh Cheema; and mercantile caste Hindu MLAs, such as state AAP chief Aman Arora, are doing the rounds.On how Mann can withstand the digs, Harjeshwar Pal Singh wrote: “Bhagwant Mann's image with the public has largely remained positive. However, people are only forgiving as long as the government is delivering; otherwise, what is considered 'private' quickly becomes a public matter.”