VIJAYAWADA: The indefinite hunger strike launched in New Delhi by YSR Congress (YSRC) MPs after quitting the Lok Sabha demanding Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh entered the third day on Sunday.
With the health of V Varaprasad Rao, party MP from Tirupati, deteriorating, the police forcibly shifted him to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in the afternoon. Doctors diagnosed him as suffering from high fever and dehydration. They advised him to give up his fast as his blood pressure levels fell sharply.
However, with the MP insisting on continuing his hunger strike, the doctors asked AP Bhavan officials and the police to shift him to RML Hospital immediately. Already, another YSRC MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy was admitted to RML on Saturday where is undergoing treatment.
Earlier in the day, YSRC party honorary president YS Vijayamma visited Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy at the hospital. Later, she expressed her solidarity with the fasting MPs at AP Bhavan.
Speaking on the occasion, Vijayamma said that it is time for the political parties to sink their differences to wage a united fight for achieving special category status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh.
“Our party has been consistent on its stand and believes that only SCS can usher in development,” she said.
As SCS is the lifeline of the State, there is a need to question Delhi, she said and added: “Our party, led by YS Jaganmohan Reddy, has taken up various protest programmes across Andhra Pradesh and in the National Capital.”
She found fault with Naidu for his inconsistent stand on SCS. She said though he was in power for the past four years, not a single major industry was established in the State.
Similarly, not a single irrigation project was completed. “Without providing employment opportunities for the youth, he has been mocking at the democratic process by conducting the Assembly unilaterally. He went on record saying that his wish is to see the Assembly without Opposition and this shows his democratic spirit,” she said.
She said it has been the tradition of the ruling party to speak to the leaders who are on fast by sending an emissary but no such effort has been made.
“The indefinite fast by our party MPs has achieved the intended impact as its is being discussed at various forums,” she observed.
CPI national leader and MP D Raja visited the protest camp in the afternoon and extended his support to the MPs and their demand for Special Category Status.
Speaking on the occasion, he said it is the duty of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honour the promise by his predecessor Manmohan Singh.
“To safeguard democracy, the Narendra Modi government should understand the sentiments of the people of Andhra Pradesh and accord Special Category Status (SCS) to the State,” he said.
Meanwhile, YSRC cadre continued their relay hunger strikes in various parts of Andhra Pradesh. Some of them even tonsured their heads in protest.