Two fasting Telugu Desam Party leaders shifted to hospital

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) legislator D Umamaheswara Rao and another party leader, who are on an indefinite fast in Vijaywada, seeking a unified Andhra Pradesh, were today forcibly shifted to a hospital by the police amidst high drama.

As soon as the police arrived on the spot, the MLA and another TDP leader B Umamaheswara Rao, who have been fasting for last five days, went inside a guest house this morning.

The police move to foil the fast was resisted by a large number of TDP leaders and activists, who gathered at the place and high drama was witnessed as the two leaders locked themselves inside the guest house and refused to come out.

However, police broke open the doors and shifted the fasting leaders to the government general hospital in Vijaywada. Police cane charged the slogan-shouting TDP workers and united Andhra Pradesh supporters at the guesthouse. The TDP MLA, however, asserted that he would continue his fast-unto-death in the hospital.

Protesting the police action, supporters of the TDP MLA called for a shut down at Nandigama assembly constituency represented by him. Several government and private offices and banks remained closed in Vijayawada.

Earlier, police shifted another TDP MLA CH Ramakotaiah, who also began fasting with the duo, to hospital following which he has called off his hunger strike last night.