Use Fernandes assets for his care: Ex-wife

Leila Kabir Fernandes, who is now camping at Patanjali Yogpeeth of Swami Ramdev in Hardwar where Fernandes is undergoing treatment, and their son Sean, who is in the United States, made the statement in reaction to comments made by the leader’s brothers Michael, Aloyseus and Richard in Bangalore on Saturday.

They (Leila and Sean) said whatever assets Fernandes had “first and foremost” must be used for his care, and added they were highly disturbed by the manner in which “George’s brothers have been discussing their plans as though we are talking about him posthumously”.  “Although George suffers from advanced Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, he does not suffer from any other significant physical ailment and could live for several years in this condition,” Leila Fernandes said.

“Sean’s and my sole concern is to see that George’s final years are spent in comfort and in dignity.  With the means that he has available to him and with the assets that Sean and I have, I am confident that we can ensure that,” she said. She also took umbrage to their “extremely irresponsible” statement that people should have ready access to Fernandes since he was a public personality.

“At this stage in his life, and given his health challenges, he needs a peaceful and comfortable environment.  Sean, I and several well-wishers have been working tirelessly to ensure that.  As soon as he is comfortably settled, we fully expect those near and dear to George to have access to him — particularly his brothers,” she said.