Vijayawada, December 23: The fast-unto-death undertaken by Mylavaram Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Legislator Devineni Umamaheswara Rao in support of ‘United Andhra Pradesh’ entered the 11th day today even as his health condition was still ‘critical’.
Mr Rao was shifted to NRI Medical College and Hospital at Chinnakakani in the neighbouring Guntur district from Government General Hospital here few days ago after his health condition deteriorated.
He commenced his fast-unto-death on December 13 at Zilla Parishad Guest House here and later was admitted to the Government General Hospital after police broke his fast last week.
Dr K Gopala Krishna, a cardiologist, treating the legislator, told mediapersons that the MLA was still refusing to take treatment.
However, as per the court’s direction he was being fed in the form of fluids when he was ‘asleep’, Mr Krishna added.
A Private Telugu Satellite Channel reported that Andhra Pradesh Human Rights Commission (APHRC) had directed the NRI doctors to give medicines and feeding to the legislator by pipe through his nose.
Mr Rao had said he would end his fast only after the Centre issued a categorical statement in favour of the ‘United Andhra Pradesh’.
Meanwhile, former VMC Mayor and TDP Leader P Anuradha’s fast-unto-death at the Government General Hospital also entered the 11th day today. Expressing solidarity with the activists of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Unified Andhra Pradesh, who were conducting agitations continuously, employees of government departments, teachers and workers were observing a day-long ‘pen down’ strike in Krishna district today.
Mr A V Sagar, Chairman of the Krishna district unit of the JAC of teachers, workers and pensioners, said the ‘pen down’ strike would be observed in all the government offices.
—Agencies