Mamata Banerjee discharged from hospital after improvement in condition

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was discharged from a state-run hospital in Kolkata today following improvement in her condition, two days after she was injured while campaigning ahead of the assembly polls in Nandigram.

Mamata (66) came out of the Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Stadium Hospital on a wheelchair, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"The Chief Minister has responded well to the treatment but due to her repeated requests, she has been discharged," doctors at the hospital said. "She has been advised to undergo a review after seven days..

"The medical board felt she should be in the hospital for 48 hours more for observation. However, she requested that she should be discharged. Heeding to her request, she is being discharged with medical advice," doctors treating her at the hospital said in a statement.

"The Chief Minister has responded to treatment. The plaster slab was opened today and injury was examined. The haematoma [blood suffusion] has diminished considerably. Ankle injury has shown much sign of improvement," they added.

Mamata was rushed to SSKM Hospital on Wednesday after unidentified people pushed the door of her vehicle while she was campaigning for the assembly elections in Purba Medinipore district.

She had gone to Nandigram on Wednesday to file her nomination. In the evening, she alleged that some people deliberately attacked and injured her. A preliminary investigation by the police and a section of the eyewitnesses hinted that the injuries may be the result of an accident.

Seeking a third successive term as Chief Minister, Mamata has said she would not cancel any scheduled meetings and use a wheelchair if needed.

In Nandigram, Mamata faces her former close aide Suvendu Adhikari who switched over to the Bharatiya Janata Party.