THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the UDF MLAs’ indefinite fast crossed the fourth day at the Assembly complex against the LDF government’s alleged biased stand towards private self-financing college management on Saturday, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithal vowed to intensify the stir if the government did not relax the admission norms and talk to the Opposition. UDF MLAs are also continuing their protest before the Secretariat.
Meanwhile, KC (J) MLA Anoop Jacob was shifted to the Medical College hospital by 4:30 pm after a medical team said that his bilirubin levels have shot up. Despite Mr Jacob insisting to continue with the fast, the UDF leadership was firm that he should be shifted to the hospital. A weak-looking Mr Jacob was taken on a wheel chair to the hospital. The other two MLAs, Shafi Parambil and Hibi Eden, were also examined by the doctors on Saturday morning. They have decided to continue the fast.
Mr Chennithala asked the government to give up its adamant attitude in self-financing college issue. “If the government is not ready for talks, we would intensify our agitation,” he said after visiting the MLAs. Mr Chennithala said he had apprised Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi of the facts relating to the self-financing issue. Mr Gandhi also spoke to the protesting UDF MLAs. UDF leadership also held protest marches across the state on Saturday in protest against the LDF government's stance.
However, KC(M) chairman K.M. Mani criticised the UDF’s protest before the Assembly. Meanwhile, health minister K.K. Shylaja demanded that the Opposition should end the indefinite strike. She maintained that the current agreement between the self-financing management and the government was an excellent one. “In fact, people know which all leaders' children are studying in private self-financing colleges,” she said.
