Mallikarjun Kharge Hospitalised Pacemaker Procedure Planned
Updated on Oct - 01 - 2025, 01:24 PM
At 83 years old, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has been admitted to MS Ramaiah Hospital in Bengaluru for a planned pacemaker implantation, according to his son, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge. In a reassuring statement on social media, Priyank said his father “is stable and doing well,” and that the procedure is being carried out as a precautionary measure.
Earlier this week, Kharge began experiencing fever and discomfort in his leg, prompting doctors to suggest hospitalisation. After arriving at the hospital on Tuesday, he was assessed thoroughly, and medical professionals recommended insertion of a pacemaker to support his heart’s rhythm. While the need for the device signals that his cardiac function requires careful monitoring, the family and medical team emphasize that there is no cause for alarm at present.
Despite his health concerns, Kharge remains engaged in his political mission. In late September, he participated fully in a Congress Working Committee meeting held in Patna. Looking ahead, he is slated to address a large public rally in Kohima, Nagaland, on October 7, under the theme “Safe Democracy, Safe Secularism, and Safe Nagaland.” The gathering intends to spotlight issues like youth employment, governance, and infrastructure connectivity across the Northeast.
Party insiders say prominent Congress leaders including KC Venugopal and Nagaland in-charge MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka will accompany him, underscoring the political weight of the event. Congress MP Jamir urged participation especially from minority communities, emphasizing that concerns raised at the rally would be carried forward by regional leadership.
While the pacemaker procedure carries certain risks typical of cardiac interventions in elderly patients, the hospital has affirmed close monitoring and care. The statement that Kharge is “stable” reflects confidence in his current condition. The coming days will be crucial, not only for his recovery but also for how he balances health and public commitments.
As political watchers note, the timing of his hospitalization comes at a key moment for Congress as it gears up for electoral challenges. A smooth recovery and his return to public life would reassure supporters. But for now, health takes priority, even as the party readies for its campaign efforts across the country.