YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy was forcibly shifted to Osmania General Hospital late on Thursday night as his health showed signs of deterioration.
Mr. Jagan was shifted to the hospital in a bullet-proof car amid tight security. The leaders and cadre of the party tried to obstruct the convoy, but in vain as police made elaborate security arrangements en route.
Mr. Jagan’s shifting came after his sugar levels as well as the bood pressure dropped significantly as his fast entered the fifth day on Thursday. Though police had been insisting that he take food, Mr. Jagan refused to oblige.
Mr. Jagan’s fast follows a similar agitation by his mother Y.S. Vijayalakshmi that was foiled by the police later. Mr. Jagan, who reportedly asked his mother to call off her fast, had himself launched an indefinite hunger strike against the “dictatorial attitude” of the Congress leadership in announcing the decision on Telangana Statehood issue. The YSRC has been demanding that the Central government ensure that the concerns of all regions are addressed before the decision on bifurcation was concretised or “the Centre can maintain a status quo if it cannot achieve this”.
Chanchalguda Jail Superintendent Saidaiah said they were in no position to manage Jagan’s health in the jail. “We preferred to shift him to the hospital as he required medicare,” he said.