P Chidambaram Hospitalised After Fainting Due to Heat at Sabarmati Ashram

Veteran Congress leader P Chidambaram fainted due to extreme heat at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, April 8, during the Indian National Congress’s national convention. He was immediately taken to Zydus Hospital for medical attention.

Chidambaram, a senior Rajya Sabha MP, later confirmed he was recovering well. “Because of extreme heat, I suffered dehydration. All tests are normal. I am perfectly well now. Thank you, all 🙏,” he posted on X.

Congress Convention Returns to Gujarat After 64 Years

The Indian National Congress is holding its national convention in Ahmedabad for the first time in 64 years. The two-day event began on April 8 and is set on the banks of the Sabarmati River, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi.

This year marks a century since Gandhi was elected president of the Indian National Congress in 1924.

Over 2,000 Congress leaders from across the country have gathered in Ahmedabad for this significant event.

Several key resolutions, including those related to national unity, are expected to be passed during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meetings.

Top Congress Leadership Present at the Event

Senior Congress leaders including Rajya Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge have arrived in the city to attend the CWC meeting.

On Tuesday night, around 11:30 pm, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Kharge paid floral tributes at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial in Shahibaug.

Chidambaram Suffers Heat-Induced Dehydration

P Chidambaram’s health scare occurred during the convention proceedings at the Sabarmati Ashram. Videos from the event showed Congress members rushing to assist the senior leader into an ambulance.

He was quickly transported to Zydus Hospital, where he was examined by a team of doctors.

Chidambaram confirmed on social media that he suffered from dehydration. “Because of extreme heat, I suffered dehydration. All tests are normal. I am perfectly well now,” he stated.

Karti Chidambaram Updates on Father’s Condition

Chidambaram’s son, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, also shared an update on his father’s condition via social media.

“My father @PChidambaram_IN had an episode of presyncope due to extreme heat & dehydration in Ahmedabad & is under observation in Zydus Hospital. The doctors are reviewing his parameters which are currently normal,” he posted on X.

In a follow-up post, Karti added, “My father @PChidambaram_IN has been examined & investigated by a team of emergency physicians, cardiologists & neurologists, all current reports are within normal parameters. He is being kept overnight at Zydus Hospital Ahmedabad for observations. Thank you all for your wishes.”

Congress Pays Tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

During the convention, Congress passed a resolution to honour the 150th birth anniversary year of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The resolution emphasized the party’s commitment to fight against religious polarisation and emulate Patel’s strength and unity.

Over 1,700 delegates are expected to attend the main conclave of the convention on April 9, where key political strategies and party positions will be discussed.

Chidambaram’s Long Career in Public Service

P Chidambaram is a seasoned politician and lawyer who has served four times as India’s Union Minister of Finance. From 2017 to 2018, he chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

Under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge, he served as Interim Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha from 2022 to 2023.

Chidambaram completed his schooling at Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School in Chennai. He pursued a one-year Pre-university course at Loyola College, then obtained a BSc degree in Statistics from Presidency College, Chennai.

He later earned a Bachelor of Laws from Madras Law College and completed an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Convention Highlights Unity and Resilience

The 84th National Convention of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) is a major event for the party, marking its symbolic return to Gujarat. It serves as a moment of reflection on its historical roots and a reaffirmation of its future direction.

Despite a brief health incident, Chidambaram’s message of resilience and the Congress party’s united front in Ahmedabad underscore the significance of this gathering.