Fasting Naidu’s health may deteriorate further, warn doctors

HYDERABAD - Doctors have warned former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) head N. Chandrababu Naidu against continuing his indefinite fast, saying this could have an adverse impact on his health.

Naidu’s fast demanding a relief package for farmers entered the sixth day Wednesday as attempts by doctors to administer fluids to him failed.

The 60-year-old has been resisting the attempts by doctors at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) to forcibly give him intravenous (IV) fluids in view of his failing health.

According to hospital sources, Naidu even locked the door of his room from inside Wednesday morning to keep the doctors away. The doctors made three attempts Tuesday night to give IV fluids but failed. He has even refused to be shifted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Doctors led by Naidu’s personal physician and eminent cardiologist B. Somaraju conducted medical tests and voiced their concern over his deteriorating heath.

“After seeing all the health parameters, the doctors said the situation may slip out of hands any time and this could have an impact on his heart,” Health Minister D.L. Ravindra Reddy said.

The minister said the government would do everything for Naidu’s treatment as a magistrate had ruled that it was the government’s responsibility to take care of his health.

The health minister said the government was ready to call an all-party meeting on farmers’ problems, if Naidu calls off the fast.

NIMS director P.V. Ramesh told reporters that they had provided all ICU facilities in Naidu’s room. He once again urged Naidu’s family members to convince him to call off the fast in view of the possible complications for his health.

The leader of opposition, who was arrested and brought to hospital Monday, has been refusing to undergo treatment or break his fast unless the government comes out with a clear package to provide relief to farmers who lost their crops in recent rains.

Naidu also rejected the advise of his wife Bhuvaneswari, who is accompanying him in the hospital. Naidu’s relatives, including film actors Junior NTR and Kalyanram, called on him and appealed to him to call off his fast.

TDP has called an emergency politburo meeting and another meeting of party legislators Wednesday evening to review the situation and chalk out future course of action.

The main opposition party has intensified its protest across the state amid concerns about Naidu’s health. An all-party meeting barring Congress and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) was also underway at NTR Trust Bhavan, the TDP headquarters.

“This government is acting in an inhuman way by not coming to the rescue of the farmers and by not caring for the health of our leader,” said senior TDP leader K. Yerran Naidu.

He claimed that every day 22 to 23 farmers were committing suicide due to the heavy crop losses in recent rains. “Mr.Chandrababu Naidu is not fasting for any political mileage as there are no elections in near future,” he said.

A delegation of four ministers Tuesday night called on Naidu to request him to end the fast and pointed out that the government had already announced the best ever package though it put a burden of Rs.2,200 crore on the exchequer. However, the TDP chief rejected their appeal.

“Our leader has made it clear that there is no question of his breaking the fast unless the state and central governments come to the rescue of farmers,” TDP legislator E. Dayakar Rao said.

He warned that the government would be responsible if anything happened to Naidu.

Police had Tuesday moved a local court, seeking permission to provide emergency medical treatment to Naidu, if necessary by force. However, there was no clarity whether the court granted the permission. TDP leaders said they were not aware of any such court order.

TDP has given a call for protests outside the offices of districts collectors in all 23 districts Wednesday when a delegation of TDP MPs will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.