RAJAHMUNDRY: On the second day of his indefinite fast, Kapu leader and former minister Mudragada Padmanabham refused to have the medical tests performed on him and his wife, stating that they were healthy. Repeated appeals by the medical teams proved futile. When joint collector S Satyanarayana went to Mudragada’s house in the night to persuade him to allow the doctors to examine them, he refused and closed the doors of the hall, where he was fasting. The incident led to tense situation, with his supporters expressing worry.
Though, Mudragada and his wife had subjected themselves to the medical tests on the first day, they refused them on the second. Earlier efforts of the deputy DMHO Srinivas Rao and later Peddapuram RDO KV Rao to persuade him had failed forcing joint collector to intervene. However, given the advanced age of their leader, followers of Mudragada are worried about his health. The reports that the sugar levels of their leader are falling has only made them more worried. Though she is suffering from ill health, especially from back pain for some time now, Mudragada’s wife Padmavati is continuing the fast wearing a spinal belt. In a bid to resolve the issue amicably, TDP MLC Boddu Bhaskara Rama Rao met the fasting Kapu leader thrice since he started his indefinite fast to convince him to give up the fast.
Unyielding Mudragada told him that he is ready to yield if the government shortens the time of commission to submit its report to three-four months time, and sanctions the pending `1,900 crore to the Kapu Development Commission. Bhaskara Rama Rao assured to take these demands to the notice of the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Mudragada made it clear that till his demands are met, he will continue his fast. Meanwhile, supporters of Mudragada continued reach Kirlampudi village to express their solidarity with him.
Most of them were sour at the lack of response from the State Government. They staged bare torso protest . Inspired by Mudragada, Kapu leader Akula Rama Krishna started an indefinite fast in Ravulapalem, while Nalla Ajay and Pavan began their hunger strike in Amalapuram. Sound of empty plates rent the air during the lunch hour in many parts of East and West Godavari districts. In Palacole, Kapu activists staged a novel protest at Gandhi statue. They gathered with empty plastic leaf plates at the statue and started begging for BC status. Similar protests were reported from different parts of the state and in Guntur, the police have taken some protesters into custody.