Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jul 22: Former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar visited Yenepoya Hospital in the city on Thursday July 22 to inquire the health condition of former union minister and Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes who was hospitalized two days ago after suffering a fall while practicing yoga.

Speaking to the media, Siddaramaiah said, “Oscar Fernandes is under observation. Doctors are examining. Now he is under dialysis. Doctors will think about the future course of treatment, after keeping him under observation for two to three days. Even I spoke to the doctors.

“We were supposed to attend party based programme. As we came to know about this issue, we have cancelled the programme. I only pray that he recovers soon. Oscar Fernandes is a respected senior leader of the party. He has huge followers and fans, and even they are praying for him,” he said.

DK Shivakumar said, “Oscar Fernandes is one of the senior most leaders of the party. I have known him for 43 years. Doctors and family members are confident that he will recover very soon. Doctors will make further decisions after studying the condition. As he is in the ICU, it is a bit tense here. Otherwise, as per my opinion, he seems to be very fine and he will recover. We all will pray for his early recovery.”

He also lauded hospitals of Mangaluru saying that the hospitals in Mangaluru are the best in the country. “Yesterday, in this regard, I spoke to Sonia Gandhi as well as Rahul Gandhi. Even they are going through the reports. Entire party is praying for his recovery. During this time, we have postponed the party meeting. As many as 150 members were supposed to take part in this meeting from six districts. Oscar is a disciplined politician and was living in simplicity.”

Speaking on state politics, he said, “Why should we interfere in internal matters of BJP? As of now Yediyurappa is the chief minister (CM). I do not have any information on the replacing of CM or him continuing. This government has lost people's faith in them. This is a corrupt government. They have failed in tackling corona situation effectively. Several people died and they failed to get proper bed facilities. This is one of the most corrupt governments in the country.”

Former MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake, Congress leader Mamatha Gatty, district Mahila Congress President Shalet Pinto, former MLA Abhayachandra Jain, district Congress president Harish Kumar, former minister Ramanath Rai and others were present.

Earlier in the day, former home minister G Parameshwar arrived at the hospital to visit the senior leader. Since two days, Congress leaders and supporters have offered prayers for the speedy recovery of Fernandes.

On Wednesday, former minister M B Patil and senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary too visited the hospital and gave moral support to the family of Fernandes. Poojary shed tears at the hospital after visiting the 80-year-old Congress veteran.