Fasting TDP chief Naidu taken into custody, hospitalized

HYDERABAD - Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu, who is on a hunger strike demanding compensation for farmers, was forcibly taken into custody and shifted to hospital this morning as his health condition deteriorated following his protest fast.

Naidu’s blood sugar level is believed to have dropped Sunday night, forcing the government to act and shift him to the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences.

The TDP chief has been fasting since Friday to demand more compensation for farmers who had lost their crop in recent rains.

Meanwhile, the TDP has called for a statewide shutdown today in protest against his arrest.

The high drama began last night when a heavy contingent of policemen descended on the new MLA quarters, where Naidu has been observing the indefinite hunger-strike and attempted to evict the fasting leader.

Police then locked the main gate of the MLA quarters to prevent anyone from coming inside even as thousands of TDP workers thronged the venue to resist police action.

Last Thursday, the Andhra Pradesh government enhanced the input subsidy from Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 6,000 per hectare to farmers who lost their crops in the recent rains in the state.

The government had also announced waiver of interest on farm loans disbursed this season, resulting in a relief of Rs. 350 crore to distressed farmers.

However, Naidu expressed displeasure over the “measly relief” and demanded that the government grant an input subsidy of Rs. 10,000 per acre since the loss was “colossal”. (ANI)