Chandrababu Naidu’s indefinite fast enters third day

HYDERABAD - Demanding a relief package for farmers affected by recent rains, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu continued his indefinite fast for the third day Sunday.

The leader of opposition continued his fast along with his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) legislators and senior leaders at New MLA (member of legislative assembly) Quarters here while party activists staged protests across the state in solidarity.

The TDP chief has turned weak but a team of doctors, examining Naidu once every four hours, said his blood pressure, sugar and pulse rates were normal.

Additional police forces were deployed near the hunger strike camp Sunday amid speculation that Naidu may be arrested and shifted to hospital after midnight.

For the third day, national and state leaders of various parties continued to pour in to meet Naidu, who is demanding Rs.10,000 per acre compensation for food crops and Rs.15,000 for commercial crops.

Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member Sitaram Yechury Sunday called on Naidu to express his solidarity. Addressing the TDP workers on the occasion, he said the package announced by the state government for farmers was not sufficient.

MDMK leader Vaiko also visited the hunger strike camp to meet Naidu. He called upon all regional parties to come on one platform. Voicing concern over the problems faced by farmers, Vaiko said the number of Congress governments at New Delhi and in the states were numbered.

AIADMK MP Sambali also called on Naidu to express the support of his party to Naidu’s indefinite fast on farmers’ problems.

During the last two days, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat and CPI leader A.B. Bardhan had called on Naidu.

Naidu’s wife Bhuvaneswari and other family members including popular actor Junior NTR also called on him Sunday.

“The condition of my uncle is bringing tears to my eyes. We had advised him not to undertake the fast keeping in view his health but he did not care for himself for the sake of farmers,” said Junior NTR, the grandson of TDP founder and former chief minister N.T. Rama Rao.

A day after Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy wrote an open letter to farmers, appealing them not to be misled by the false propaganda of the opposition, Naidu too wrote an open letter, making it clear that he would continue his protest till the government sheds its indifference towards farmers and helps them.