Andhra Pradesh   

TDP leader ends indefinite fast amid high drama

Staff Reporter

Case to be filed against him for attempting suicide

KIRLAMPUDI: The nine-day fast-unto-death agitation by former Minister and TDP leader Mudragada Padmanabham ended amid high drama at his residence here on Thursday, with an assurance from the Government.

The task force appointed by the Government with Kakinada MP M.M. Pallamraju and four other Congress MLAs handed over a letter to Mudragada just before 11 a.m. (the deadline) from the district Collector on behalf of the State Government. Before the delegation of Congress MLAs reached the spot, Mudragada aimed a revolver and a gun to kill himself, but another Congress MLA Thota Gopalakrishna convinced him to extend the deadline for another one hour. It was mentioned in the letter that the farmers who would lose their lands under Puskhara and Polavaram projects in 14 mandals of Prattipadu constituency would be compensated with land acquired from other big farmers, who came forward to give their land voluntarily to the Government.

After reading the contents of the letter from inside the room, which was bolted, Mudragada called off his fast and, as a gesture, had a glass of lemon juice offered by the Congress MLAs.

Naidu's efforts fail

Earlier, TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu along with his party senior leaders — Ummareddy Venkateswarlu and Yanamala Ramakrishnudu — and others reached Kirlampudi and spoke to Mr. Padmanabham from outside the room. Later, he met his family members, who were also fasting in another room.

After the meetings, Mr. Naidu said that he failed to convince Mudragada as the Government was adamant in its attitude towards the main demand of the agitating leader.

Immediately, Naidu left for Samalkot and spoke to the Governor and Chief Minister.

Admitted to hospital

Later, Mr. Padmanabham was admitted to a private nursing home at Kakinada.

Superintendent of Police V. Naveen Chand told The Hindu that Mr. Padmanabham would be prosecuted for attempting suicide with his revolver.

A case would be booked against him.

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