By Ajitha Menon : Kolkata : Veteran Communist leader Jyoti Basu has taken a turn for the worst. The former Bengal Chief Minister was put on ventilator support today morning after he developed severe breathing problems. Mr Basu was undergoing treatment at AMRI Kolkata for moderately severe pneumonia.

Mr D N Agarwal, Director, AMRI, Kolkata said Mr Basu’s condition was critical. He said all possible medical intervention was being carried out and doctors were closely monitoring the situation. Mr Agarwal said a medical board will evaluate Mr Basu’s condition again today evening. Another medical bulletin on the veteran CPI(M) leader’s  health would be issued later in the evening.