TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu refuses IV drip, wants to continue fast in hospital

NEW DELHI: Forcibly evicted to a hospital here on the fifth day of his fast, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu is suffering from "mild dehydration" but has refused to take intravenous drip and wants to continue his hunger strike, doctors said today.

A team of doctors comprising a cardiologist, two physicians and four resident doctors at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital are monitoring the condition of 63-year-old Naidu, who is on a fast against bifurcation of Andra Pradesh.

His health parameters are within "normal range" except that he is mildly dehydrated and ketons in the urine are 3+, they said.

"Ketone 3+ indicates that the body is drawing strength from the last of the calories reserved. We tried giving him intravenous DNS and vitamins but he refused saying that he wants to continue the fast," said Dr H K Kar, Medical Superitendent of RML hospital.

His blood pressure was 150/70, pulse 100 which is on the higher side, sugar 85, ketone 3+ and he is mildly dehydrated, Kar said.