Ananthamurthy, friends want panel to care for Fernandes

In an appeal, the well-wishers and old friends of the former Defence minister said that they wanted a panel constituted through a legal process consisting of the doctors attending to Fernandes. The move came amid a family feud over the assets of the socialist veteran, who is suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Fernandes’ wife Leila Kabir and son Sean had admitted him to a private hospital last December. He was later taken by his immediate family to Haridwar at Baba Ramdev’s ashram.

“We understand he (Fernandes) is being moved from place to place and decisions on his well being are being suddenly and arbitrarily being taken by people who are not familiar with the treatment of his ailments. This is bound to have a severe adverse impact on his mind and body,” nearly 20 of his well-wishers and old colleagues and friends said in a statement.

Fernandes’ brothers – Michael, Aloysius, Paul and Richard – had alleged that they and other long-time friends, care-givers and domestic staff of the socialist leader had been denied access to him by Leila and Sean.

“We, the long time friends of Fernandes, are distressed at the events of the last few weeks, which diminish the image of a great man, who due to a debilitating illness is unable to defend himself or express himself publicly,” the statement issued by the well-wishers added.

Leila had earlier termed as “highly premature” the suggestion made by Fernandes’ brothers that his assets should be distributed to the poor through a charitable foundation.

“All unseemly speculation and discussion being carried out in public view about his assets and relationships undermine the values that our friend George stands for,” stated Ananthamurthy and other well-wishers of the JD (U) leader.