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Mohali: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was hospitalised on Friday evening at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, after he complained of exhaustion and low heart rate. He was accompanied by his wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann, and admitted to the hospital’s ICU.
In an official statement, the hospital confirmed: “Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was brought to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, after he complained of exhaustion and low heart rate. On arrival, his vitals were assessed and have since stabilised. He is currently under observation, and his pulse rate has improved. Our medical team continues to monitor his condition closely.” Earlier, government sources had suggested that Mann had been down with viral fever.
Cabinet Meeting Postponed, Kejriwal Steps In
Mann’s illness has come at a time when Punjab is reeling under its worst floods since 1988. On Friday, a scheduled meeting of the Punjab Cabinet had to be postponed as Mann was unwell. The Chief Minister was also unable to accompany AAP national convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during his recent visit to the flood-affected areas on Thursday and Friday. Following reports of Mann’s hospitalisation, Kejriwal visited his official residence to check on his health on Wednesday.
Health Concerns Not New
This is not the first health-related setback for the Punjab CM. Last year, Mann had been diagnosed with a bacterial infection and was admitted to Fortis Mohali for a few days before recovering. Mann’s sudden hospitalisation has triggered political chatter in Punjab. With the state facing an unprecedented flood crisis, the absence of its elected chief minister from ground-level supervision could become a point of political debate. Opposition parties are expected to question whether the state’s disaster response is being effectively managed, even as Kejriwal and senior AAP leaders step in to oversee relief efforts.
Political observers note that the episode may also renew questions about Mann’s workload, health, and capacity to lead during prolonged crises, especially with Punjab’s Assembly elections due in February 2027. For now, however, the government is keen to underline that the Chief Minister’s vitals have stabilised and he remains under observation.
