Mumbai, Feb 16 (IANS): The condition of former Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP leader Raosaheb Ramrao Patil, who was diagnosed with cancer recently, is "critical but stable," a party spokesperson said here Monday.

Patil, who is also a former state home minister, was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital a couple of months ago and underwent surgery for cancer, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state spokesperson Nawab Malik told IANS.

A qualified lawyer, 58-year-old Patil is now in Lilavati Hospital in Bandra for post-surgical treatment.

"He is presently undergoing chemotherapy and his condition is improving," Patil's personal doctor Dr. Sanjay Ugemuge told media persons here.

Patil, who was home minister during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, was forced to quit after some remarks on the incident, but enjoys the complete confidence of party chief Sharad Pawar and remains influential in the party.

Several top party leaders including former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, NCP MP Supriya Sule, Malik and others visited the hospital to enquire after Patil's health.