Anna advised a month's rest, no poll campaign?

Pune: Doctors have advised Anna Hazare one month's rest, putting a question mark over his plans to campaign against the Congress in the forthcoming assembly polls in five states. The activist, admitted to a hospital with chest congestion, is also suffering from osteosporosis, a doctor said.

"For one week, he is advised complete bed rest. Thereafter, we will re-assess his condition. We have told him he should take rest for one month, not strain himself," physician Parag Sancheti, also the owner of the Sancheti Hospital, who is looking after Hazare, told reporters.

The doctor also said that he should not fast for a month at least.

Hazare, 74, was rushed to the hospital here from his village Ralegan Siddhi just before midnight on Saturday for treatment.

The doctor said his vital parameters were fine as were his lungs.

"He got up on time, he was looking fresh and had his breakfast normally. His pulse rate and blood pressure is normal though blood pressure was on the higher side yesterday night. Lung function test was carried out today morning, that is absolutely normal," he said. Hazare, he said, had a dry cough and would be administered antibiotic for five days.

Doctors will carry out further tests on his osteoporosis condition before deciding the next course of treatment, Sancheti added.

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal is expected to call on Hazare in the afternoon to enquire about his health.

Sancheti said Hazare would be allowed no visitors, barring his aides and colleagues.

The doctor said the hospital is "bearing the total treatment expenses" for Hazare as it is a "social service".

Hazare has been suffering from a chest infection due to heavy coughing and congestion over the past couple of weeks, and a minor swelling was noticed in the chest, necessitating hospitalisation.

Owing to Hazare's ill health, a crucial Team Anna core committee slated for Monday and Tuesday was postponed.

On Dec 28, Hazare called off his proposed three-day hunger strike in Mumbai for a strong Lokpal on the second day itself due to his health concerns.

The exercise to hold assembly polls in five states -- Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Punjab -- will begin Jan 28 and end March 3.