YSR Congress president YS Jaganmohan Reddy has commenced his indefinite fast in Chanchalguda jail here on Sunday, demanding that the state be kept united.
Jagan, who is under judicial custody at Chanchalguda, took up the fast in support of the ongoing Samaikyandra agitation, after his mother YS Vijayalakshmi was forced to give up the fast on Saturday afternoon.
Jagan’s mother took up the fast on his behalf at Guntur six days ago and when her health started deteriorating, she was shifted to hospital by police. Vijayamma had ended her fast after Jagan said he would be taking over from where she had left.
According to party leaders, as announced, Jagan started his indefinite hunger strike on Sunday morning. Jail authorities said they have not received any intimation from Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding his hunger strike. However, they confirmed that Jagan had not taken either lunch or dinner served to him as usual in his cell.
“Taking up hunger strike without any valid reason and without prior information is an offence as per prison rules. Necessary preventive measures will be taken,” jail superintendent B Saidaiah told Express. However, he refused to elaborate on what the preventive measures would be.
Since morning, security at the jail was beefed up and no one was allowed into the premises. From dawn, OB vans of different channels and their media personnel had parked themselves at the entrance of the prison. However, there was not much activity there and apart from a few low-rung leaders, no important leader of the party or others had turned up.
Extending support to Jagan’s hunger strike, two women supporters tried to agitate near the jail, but were prevented and removed from the place by the police.
Meanwhile, YSRC leaders appealed to the party cadre to express solidarity with the party president by undertaking fasts and dharnas. Party spokesperson Ambati Rambabu claimed that there are no rules preventing a person from undertaking fast while in judicial custody. He cited the example of Mahathma Gandhi taking up indefinite fast in jail on many occasions.
Though Jagan is in custody for the last 15 months, he is fighting for the cause of people, he said and criticised TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu over his stance on state division.
The entire family of YSR is with the people, and Sharmila is contemplating to take up a bus yatra in support of her brother’s fast, he said.
