Congress president Sonia Gandhi was admitted to a leading private hospital in the capital late on Monday night after she developed “mild” breathing difficulty following a chest infection compounding her asthmatic problem.

Doctors treating her as well as party sources said there was nothing to worry and that she could be released from the hospital as early as on Wednesday morning.

Party sources said Gandhi had been suffering from fever and severe cold for nearly a week, and the condition deteriorated on Monday.

“She was unwell even during the introspection meeting following the Gujarat results,” the sources said.

She also presided over the special Congress Working Committee meeting to condole the death of Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto as well as participating in the Congress Foundation Day celebrations on December 28 even as she was unwell.

Her children Rahul and Priyanka, who were on vacation outside, were expected to return to the capital at the earliest.

Gandhi decided to forego the annual vacation because of her health conditions, the party sources said.

Several Congress leaders including AICC treasurer Motilal Vora and general secretary Digvijay Singh, visited the Sir Gangaram Hospital where she has been admitted, but nobody was allowed to meet her.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, however, spoke with Ms Gandhi over telephone to inquire about her condition and wish her a speedy recovery.