Friday, June 2 2006 10:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Rahul Mahajan, son of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan was hospitalised early today (June 2, 2006) while his secretary Vivek Maitra died due to suspected food poisoning.

Both Mahajan and Maitra were admitted to the Apollo hospital in South Delhi in the wee hours. A hospital spokesman said Maitra was brought in dead at 3 am while Mahajan was admitted to the ICU. He refused to comment on the condition of Mahajan.

However, a close family friend of the Mahajans told sources that Rahul, who is admitted to the ICU of the hospital, is in a serious but stable condition.

"His vital parametres are functioning normally," he said.

The family source said both Mahajan and Maitra were found to be suffering from 'some kind of poisoning'.

He, however, declined to elaborate whether it was food poisoning.

Mahajan's family has been informed and his uncle and Maharashtra BJP legislature party leader Gopinath Munde and some close relatives were rushing to the capital.

Rahul Mahanjan was in the news recently when he attended the BJP national executive meeting in Delhi early this week, triggering speculation about his possible entry into politics.

Rahul's name was also proposed by the BJP to replace his late father in the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra but the Congress had apparently turned down the proposal.

Maitra, whose body been has been kept in the hospital mortuary, has been a close associate of the Mahajan family for the past several years.