Delhi police have almost besieged AP Bhavan on Thursday by setting up posts at all gates, on the fourth day of fast by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu. A team of home ministry officials are already camping there monitoring the situation. Doctors conducted medical tests on Naidu on Thursday morning and evening.
Though Delhi police teams led by deputy commissioner SBS Tyagi and additional DIG Mukesh Meena visited AP Bhavan in the afternoon, TDP MPs and MLAs persuaded them not to shift Naidu from the venue.
Naidu looked very weak and could hardly speak. Since he was unable to speak, MPs and MLAs took turns to make speeches criticising the Congress and the UPA government. Naidu’s diabities problem, sources says, is a cause of concern for the government.
Flanked by his wife and son, besides MPs, MLAs and senior leaders, Chandrababu received people from a cross section of the society.
From a delegation of Christians belonging to a church in the capital to Yoga guru Baba Ramdev visited Naidu to express solidarity.
From state guest house, the AP Bhavan has turned into a dharna site. Its popular canteen had a tough time supplying food to the protesters. With TDP songs blaring, the entire area gave the impression of a typical TDP public meeting. Posters highlighting the contradictory statements of Congress leaders have been put up all around.
More than 2,000 party workers have come from various districts of Andhra Pradesh.
The TDP has put in place a special medical team at the pandal along with medicines.
Despite a notice from AP Bhavan officials, Chandrababu is in no mood to vacate the Bhavan premises.
Baba, Badal Back Naidu: Baba Ram Dev spent more than 20 minutes with Naidu. This prompted some TDP workers to speculate that the Yoga guru must be giving tips to Naidu on how to fast for a longer period.
Baba Ram Dev was very critical of the Congress and said the match-fixing by some parties would be exposed.
“Congress took the decision to split AP for political gain. I am not against United Andhra Pradesh or separate Telangana. But all the issues such as state capital and sharing of water and natural resources should have been resolved before the decision,” he said.
Meanwhile, Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal described Chandrababu as the most respected leader of the country. Remembering old relationship with TDP, Badal said that Chandrababu has contributed so much to Andhra Pradesh. Expressing solidarity with him, Badal wished all success in his mission.