TRS chief's condition serious, asked to end fast

Hyderabad, Dec 8 (IANS) The health of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, who is on fast-unto-death demanding a separate Telangana state, has begun deteriorating and doctors have warned that continuing the hunger strike could endanger his life.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, continued the hunger strike for the 10th day Tuesday at the state-run Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS).

NIMS director Prasada Rao told reporters that the reports of KCR's blood tests show signs of deterioration and asked him to immediately call off the fast.

If he continues the fast, this would lead to serious problems. 'What sort of problems we can't say but this could endanger his life,' he said.

A team of doctors monitoring KCR's health has asked his family members to convince him to end the fast.

Currently he is on support therapy. But after a certain stage even the medicines will not work. He has to start taking food immediately, said Prasada Rao.

The doctors had so far maintained that KCR was stable but weak.

The Mahabubnagar MP has made it clear that he would call off the fast only after the government gave a categorical assurance on carving a separate Telangana state. He was also ready to end the fast if the state assembly passes a resolution urging the centre to grant statehood to the Telangana region, which comprises 10 districts including Greater Hyderabad.

KCR was arrested Nov 29 near Karimnagar town when he was heading to Siddipet town in Medak district for launching fast unto death.

He was taken to Khammam town, where a court sent him to jail for 14 days. The TRS chief launched the fast in jail and he was shifted to a government hospital in the town the next day.

He broke the fast the same day saying he did not want people to lose their lives in protests.

Angry reaction by the sympathisers of the Telangana movement forced KCR to resume the fast. He alleged that the government forcibly administered him saline drips. He was shifted to Hyderabad Dec 3.