34 days later: Family flags Naidu’s ill-health due to dehydration, skin allergy; TDP threatens legal action

Hyderabad: Chandrababu Naidu, the 73-year-old former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and TDP chief, was arrested in the early hours of September 9. He has been in judicial remand at Rajahmundry Central Jail for the past 34 days for his alleged involvement in the AP Skill Development Corporation scam. His judicial remand has been extended for the fourth time by the Vijayawada ACB Court, with his current remand set to end on October 19.

Considering his age and the high profile case, the Anti-Corruption Bureau court has allowed him to have home-cooked food, medication, and access to a special room with amenities.

However, from the first day, Naidu’s son and TDP national general secretary, Nara Lokesh, has raised concerns that the Rajahmundry Central Jail also houses Maoists, posing a potential threat to his father’s life, especially in light of previous unsuccessful assassination attempts by the CPI Maoists group against Naidu.

Additionally, the death of a remand prisoner, Ganjeti Satyanarayana (20), on September 21 due to dengue, has added to the fear in TDP circles. Leaders who have been meeting Naidu in jail have expressed concerns about mosquitoes in the cell.

Request for AC denied

Sources have said that the TDP leaders have also been requesting the authorities to provide an AC facility for Naidu. However, the request has been reportedly denied, citing that there is no such provision in the prisoner manual, and they will only do so if it is ordered by higher authorities.

Regarding health concerns, on October 10, Naidu reported dehydration due to the increased temperature in the state. Later, he informed the jail authorities as well as family members about his condition. The central jail authorities provided him with treatment, and three doctors closely monitored his health, jail superintendent Rahul informed the media.

However, Naidu’s health took another another turn. Two days later, Naidu reported the onset of a skin allergy to the Rajahmundry jail authorities. The prison medical officer examined his condition, but the jail authorities requested a dermatologist for further examination for a second opinion.

“They wrote to the Government General Hospital in Rajahmundry urging them to send experts to treat the TD chief. Assistant professors of dermatology, Suryanarayana and Suneetha, were sent for treatment. They suggested medicines for Naidu, including creams and lotions, as the soaring temperature caused further irritation to Naidu’s existing skin problems,” the jail superintendent said.

Naidu left without medical care, alleges family

For two decades, Naidu has reportedly had vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that causes white patches on the skin. He also has cardiomyopathy along with Type II diabetes and high blood pressure.

On Friday morning, Naidu’s wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari, his son Nara Lokesh, and daughter-in-law Nara Brahmini, expressed concerns about Naidu’s well-being, in a public post on X.

CBN is facing a dire situation, dealing with mosquitoes, contaminated water, weight loss, infections, and allergies, all without access to timely medical assistance. The GoAP is trying to administer steroids to him.

“If any harm befalls Naidu, YS Jagan will be responsible,” Nara Lokesh posted on X. “He has lost 5 kg, and additional weight loss could adversely impact his kidneys,” posted Nara Brahmini on X.

‘Naidu has gained one kg’

In response to the concerns raised by Naidu’s family members, YSRCP general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said, “Contrary to the lies being spread by TDP, Naidu has, in fact, gained 1 kg in weight. His health condition is good. Also, one must remember that jail is not an in-law’s house where you will be treated royally.”

The Rajahmundry central jail authorities have even issued a health bulletin regarding Naidu’s well-being. The health bulletin provided by the authorities stated that Naidu is healthy and his condition is good.

The central DIG Coastal Andhra Prisons Department Ravi Kiran, speaking to the local media, stated, “We are taking all precautions and measures concerning his health and security.”

Yoga and walking inside the cell

On the issue of unhygienic water being supplied to Naidu, he replied that the water is being consumed by 2,000 prisoners as well as the jail staff. Furthermore, addressing concerns about weight reduction, Ravi Kiran said, “As per the prisoner’s weight registry, Naidu was 66 kg when he entered the Central Jail, and as of today, he is 67 kg. He is also continuing to take the same medicines he was using before, and the food is coming from his home.”

With almost 34 days spent in Rajahmundry Central Jail, it is evident that due to the isolation, his mental health has been affected since he has been confined to the Sneha block of the Rajahmundry Central Jail.

Sources have stated that whether it’s yoga or walking, Naidu has to do it in his cell. If the health situation persists for another couple of days, sources from TDP have confirmed that they are likely to take legal action, claiming that timely medical assistance and amenities are not being provided to Naidu.

Installed 8 fans in Naidu's room:

Coastal District Prisons Department DIG Ravi Kiran reiterated that TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu is healthy and prison doctors are closely monitoring his health. He said that rumours of Chandrababu Naidu being sick and unhealthy in media and social media platforms are false.

Addressing the media at Rajahmundry Central Jail, he stated that Chandrababu undergoes medical assessments thrice daily.

"We are conducting medical assessments three times a day. Currently, Chandrababu's weight is 67 kg. The situation is not as critical as portrayed. Chandrababu is in good health. Chandrababu Naidu is using the medicine of his own, we have not provided any new oral medicine. There's no provision for air-conditioned accommodations in the jail manual," clarified DIG Ravi Kiran.

He further clarified, "We've provided Chandrababu with a mosquito net. According to regulations, air conditioning and coolers cannot be supplied. If we receive any court orders, we'll comply accordingly. We've installed eight fans in Chandrababu's room. We're adhering to all necessary precautions within our established norms. There's no external pressure on us. Please disregard any reports suggesting security lapses for Chandrababu. No other inmate is permitted near him," assured DIG Ravi Kiran.