Naidu continues fast in hospital, condition turns alarming - The Hindu

The Hindu Farmers' organisations and Telugu Desam cadre in Panjagutta -Ameerpet in Hyderabad on Monday to enforce a 'bandh' following the arrest of the TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu. Photo: P.V. Sivakumar A determined Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu continued his fast for the fourth day on Monday at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), even as his condition turned alarming.

Earlier, he was forcibly shifted there from the hunger strike camp by the police in the wee hours amidst high drama. Not satisfied with the relief package announced by the Government for flood-hit farmers, he began his fast on December 17 demanding a fair deal to them.

Following deterioration in his condition last evening, the authorities began preparations to arrest and shift him to hospital. After getting wind of the impending arrest, scores of TDP supporters reached the venue to resist any police action. Amidst stiff resistance from MLAs and other supporters, including several women, police swooped down the on the camp and arrested Mr. Naidu.

Several TDP leaders surrounded Mr. Naidu on the dais in a bid to prevent the police from arresting him, while scores of others who gathered at the site. Some of them hurled chairs at the police. As the TDP activists threw a cordon around Mr. Naidu, the police pulled out each of them and carried him into a waiting vehicle. In the melee, N. Lokesh Naidu, son of Mr.Chandrababu Naidu, and others suffered mild bruises.

A defiant Mr. Naidu told the police officials that his condition was alright even as other senior TDP leaders questioned the right of the police to arrest him from new MLA quarters.

Protesting against his arrest, the Telugu Desam has called for a State bandh today, which was supported by CPI(M) and CPI parties. There were widespread protests by TDP activists all over the State and RTC buses were damaged at several places

Meanwhile, Health Minister D.L. Ravindra Reddy said the TDP leader’s condition was alarming and appealed to him to call off the fast. Rashtriya Lok Dal president, Ajit Singh and Panthers Party leader, Bhim Singh were among those who called on Mr. Naidu at the hospital.

Condemning the arrest, Telugu Desam leader K. Yerran Naidu the attempt to foil Mr.Naidu’s fast was a conspiracy by Central and State Governments in view of the "unimaginable response" from farmers and the people.

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