Murasoli Maran, former Union minister of commerce, who is undergoing treatment at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, is in a "highly critical condition," Indian Ambassador Lalit Mansingh told rediff.com

A spokesperson for the Methodist Hospital Patient Information Department told rediff.com, "He is in medical intensive care, and no other information can be provided at this point."

Maran is 'serious but stable,' the Indian Consulate in New York earlier said.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazgham leader has been undergoing treatment in the US after he developed complications following an operation in India.

Earlier reports said Maran had passed away.

Maran is minister without portfolio in the Vajpayee Cabinet.

The ailing DMK leader was flown on November 14 to the Methodist Hospital for treatment of his heart, kidney and other vital organs. He has been in a coma for many weeks.

Maran underwent a 'high risk emergency surgery' on September 25, 2002 for replacement of an infected mitral valve at a hospital in Chennai.

He underwent the surgery as there was growth of fungus in the mitral valve, which was replaced at a surgery conducted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, on July 22, 2002.

On September 27, 2002, Maran was taken off ventilatory support but his systemic vascular resistance remained low, indicating presence of significant fungal infection in the blood stream.

On September 29, 2002 as his condition deteriorated, he was put on dialysis.