This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Navjot Singh Sidhu 'On Brink' Of Losing Voice After 17-Day Election Campaigning

The Punjab minister has been advised "complete rest" for three-five days by doctors.
A file photo of Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
A file photo of Navjot Singh Sidhu.

CHANDIGARH — Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu is "on the brink" of losing his voice after 17 days of intensive election campaigning and has been advised "complete rest" for three to five days by doctors, the government said Thursday

Punjab's local government, tourism and cultural affairs minister, who has injured his vocal cords, has left an undisclosed destination for a complete check-up and recovery, a Punjab government release said.

Sidhu was the Congress' star campaigner and addressed over 70 public meetings in 17 days ahead of elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.

The 55-year-old former cricketer and television personality, known for his quick wit and oratory, was also in Pakistan on 28 November on its prime minister Imran Khan's personal invitation to attend the ground-breaking ceremony for the Kartarpur corridor.

"Mr Navjot Singh Sidhu was on an intensive 17-day election campaign, wherein he addressed more than 70 back-to-back public meetings and the exhaustive schedule has injured his vocal cords. The doctors told him that he was on the brink of losing his voice and therefore they have suggested complete three to five days rest," the release said.

The release added that the "continuous helicopter and plane travel has been detrimental to his health because of him being on embolism treatment as he had suffered a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) due to excess air travel some years ago". Sidhu has undergone a series of blood tests which require evaluation and has gone to an undisclosed location for a complete check up and recovery, it added.

He is being administered specialised medication along with breathing exercises and physiotherapy, it said.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.