Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

TDP leaders shifted to GGH amid high drama

PHOTO: CH.VIJAYA BHASKAR

Extending support: Chess player Koneru Humpy expressing solidarity with the fasting TDP MLA Devineni Umamaheswara Rao in Vijayawada on Wednesday. —

VIJAYAWADA: Four TDP leaders sitting here on fast-unto-death in favour of unified Andhra Pradesh were forcibly shifted by the police to the Government General Hospital around 2.30 a.m. on Wednesday, even as two other leaders and Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal continued the fast seeking a firm assurance from the Centre that the State would not be bifurcated.

Nuzvid MLA Chinnam Ramakotaiah, former Mayor of the city Panchumarthy Anuradha, district leaders Gogineni Dhanasekhar and Papaiah Chowdary were admitted into the GGH amidst much drama. A huge contingent of armed police descended on the camp on Bandar road before any one realised, and shifted the leaders overcoming the stiff resistance put up by those waiting there. The jostling and minor lathicharge resulted in partial caving in of the tent. Though the police tried to shift Mylavaram MLA Devineni Umamaheswara Rao and party general secretary Bonda Umamaheswara Rao too, they could not succeed. The police said that the leaders were lifted after the doctors who examined them expressed concern over their deteriorating vital parameters like blood sugar and pressure. During the day Mr. Ramakotaiah and Ms. Anuradha tried to leave the GGH in a bid to continue their fast, but the police prevented them from doing so. The leaders asserted that they would not allow the doctors to administer any fluids to them and continue the fast in the hospital. Devineni Umamaheswara Rao condemned the police action and maintained that he would continue the fast until the Centre relented. TDP leader Kodela Sivaprasada Rao and Congress leader Devineni Rajasekhar (Nehru) were among those who called on him to express solidarity with him.

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