Hyderabad: Congress Legislature Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka called off his fast unto death on the third day on Monday following an appeal from Congress president Rahul Gandhi and TPCC leaders.
Mr Bhatti had launched the fast on Saturday to protest against the “illegal” merger of 12 Congress MLAs with the TRS Legislature Party.
Earlier in the morning, the police arrested Mr Bhatti and shifted him to the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in view of his deteriorating health condition. Doctors stated that Mr Bhatti’s sugar level had fallen to 69, BP was fluctuating and continuing with the fast could pose a threat to his life.
TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said Mr Bhatti ended his fast in view of his failing health. Initially he had refused to take treatment and to call off his fast.
TPCC leaders informed him that Mr Rahul Gandhi had made an appeal to call off the fast. Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy and others also joined the appeal. Following this, Mr Bhatti ended the fast by taking juice offered by the TPCC president.
Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy told the media that the Congress would step up its protests against the defection of party MLAs and organise dharnas in front of district collectorates on Tuesday. The party would seek an appointment with President Ram Nath Kovind, and its MPs would raise the issue in Parliament.
Mr Bhatti had initially launched a 36-hour fast on Saturday in front of Indira Park and later extended it to a fast unto death. Congress and CPI leaders and others called on Mr Bhatti at Nims and extended support.
