Anna Hazare’s blood sugar, pressure increase

Mumbai: Social activist Anna Hazare’s hunger strike entered the third day Friday with his doctor stating that the 81-year-old’s blood pressure and blood sugar levels had significantly increased.

Mr Hazare has been on a hunger strike since Wednesday in Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district, demanding the appointment of anti-corruption watchdogs at the Centre and in Maharashtra, and resolution of farmers' issues.

According to Mr Hazare’s doctor, Dr Dhananjay Pote, there has been a significant increase in Mr Hazare’s blood pressure and blood sugar when he examined Mr Hazare Friday morning.

The 81-year-old social activist has also been demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations on ways to address the agrarian distress, besides some electoral reforms.

Local residents, who have come out in large numbers in support of Mr Hazare, have accused the state and central government of ignoring his demands.

A close aide of Mr Hazare said that several local residents, too, protes-ted Friday in front of the district's guardian minister, Ram Shinde’s office.

Earlier in the week, Mr Hazare offered prayers at the Padmavati temple in his village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district before sitting on the hunger strike. He also participated in a  procession, accompanied by students, youths and farmers, to the Yadavbaba temple and sat near it to begin his hunger strike.

Although he had welcomed the state cabinet’s decision to bring the office of the chief minister under the jurisdiction of the Lokayukta, Mr Hazare vowed to continue his agitation.