Court nod to force-feed Naidu

Decision came after TDP leaders health deteriorated

 The decision by Munsif Magistrate’s Court in Nampally came in the wake of the City police seeking its direction to force-feed Naidu, as his condition began to worsen on the fifth day of his hunger strike protesting the government’s meagre compensation to farmers hit by the recent rains.

In a bid to strengthen their case, the police also submitted a report on Naidu’s health condition in the court.

Anxious over the opposition leader’s health, the government sent a ministerial delegation of Dr D L Ravindra Reddy, Sabitha Indra Reddy and Peetani Satyanarayana to NIMS to appraise Naidu on the measures taken to support the farmers. The ministers also tried persuading the TDP leader to give up his hunger strike.

Dr Ravindra Reddy later told reporters that Naidu had agreed to consider their request to end the hunger strike.

NIMS director Dr Ramesh said Naidu’s declining health meant it was not safe for him to continue the fast.

Explaining that the percentage of electrolyte in Naidu’s system is decreasing, he said the former CM is continuing to refuse food. He said the team of doctors are performing tests on Naidu once in six hours and are monitoring his health.

A steady stream of leaders visited NIMS to enquire on Naidu’s health, but hospital authorities stopped them from meeting Naidu fearing that he may pick up infections. Amongst those refused permission to meet him were his brother Nara Ramamurthy Naidu.

TDP leader Nannapaneni Raja Kumari, CPI state secretary Dr K Narayana and CPM state secretary B V Raghavulu called on Naidu.

The police arrested several TDP leaders, including former MLA Babu Mohan, who staged protest and raised slogans against the government at the hospital gates.
Top TDP leaders gathered at NTR Bhavan for an emergency meeting to discuss Naidu’s condition and the government's move to send the ministerial delegation to meet him.

In New Delhi, Telugu Desam party MPs met CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, and apprised him on Naidu’s condition. They also urged Karat to prevail on the state government to improve compensations for farmers in a bid to persuade Naidu to give up his fast.

They also discussed about launching a nationwide agitation to highlight issues that affect farmers.