Naidu's fast for farmers enters sixth day, doctors helpless
Hyderabad: Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam Party head N. Chandrababu Naidu's indefinite fast demanding a relief package for farmers entered the sixth day Wednesday as attempts by doctors to administer fluids to him failed.
Naidu 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 on Wednesday morning to keep the doctors away. The doctors made three attempts Tuesday night to give IV fluids but failed.
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.
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 on 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 orders.
Doctors said the condition of 60-year-old Naidu could deteriorate further if he continues the fast. His blood pressure and sugar levels have gone up while the body temperature is also rising.
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.
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