Khattar stable, to miss session for first time today

Gurgaon: A day after he tested positive for Covid-19, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar was admitted to Medanta on Tuesday. His vital parameters are stable and he has mild symptoms, the health department said.
According to the department, Khattar, 66, had developed fever and body ache three days ago. He has diabetes and was brought to the Gurgaon hospital as a precautionary measure around 2.30am.
Dr Sushila Kataria, who had earlier treated union home minister Amit Shah, is treating the Haryana chief minister as well. Khattar is in a private room on the 14th floor of the hospital, where Shah had stayed.
Gurgaon chief medical officer Virender Yadav and Dr Kataria examined the CM’s condition on Tuesday morning and prescribed a course of treatment.
“A team of doctors are monitoring his health. We are well prepared to handle any situation,” said Yadav.
Meanwhile, assembly speaker Gian Chand Gupta, 71, was also transferred to the ICU at Medanta from Panchkula to Gurgaon after his condition started deteriorating. He has a history of asthma and has low oxygen saturation levels. There were some issues in his CT tests.
He has also developed infection in his lungs.
Other leaders who are expected to be admitted to the hospital after testing positive for Covid include Karnal MLA Harvinder Singh Kalyan (53) and former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren (76), who is set to be shifted from Medanta in Ranchi.
Meanwhile, the Haryana assembly’s monsoon session is set to start on Wednesday afternoon. It is for the first time that the session will be held in the absence of chief minister Khattar, the leader of the House, and Speaker Gupta. Transport minister Mool Chand Sharma, MLAs Lakshan Napa, Aseem Goel and Ram Chander Kamboj have also been tested positive.
The speaker has authorised deputy speaker Ranbir Singh Gangwa to officiate in his absence. The issue of the leader of the House remained unsolved. According to protocol deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala is the next to Khattar.
In addition, Anil Vij, who happens to be the senior most MLAs and minister, could be the officiating leader if authorised by the CM.
“There is no governor’s address scheduled. Ministers will respond to questions and the parliamentary affairs minister represents those who are not in the House. Hence, there would not be any problem,” said a senior minister.
Meanwhile, Gangwa said the House has been sanitised twice recently. No visitors will be allowed to watch the proceedings of the House, and the MLAs will be seated in the audience gallery and the Speaker’s gallery for maintaining social distancing.