No objection to Rajagopal being admitted to NIMS: AP Govt

Andhra Pradesh government today said it had no objection to Congress MP L Rajagopal, who escaped from the Government Hospital here, being admitted to the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad as desired by him.

"We are all worried about him. His family members and well-wishers said he wanted to be admitted to NIMS. We have no objection to that. We appeal to him to contact us immediately," state Animal Husbandry Minister K Parthasarathi told reporters here.

"Rajagopal can go to NIMS on his own or the government is ready to take him to the premier government hospital in Hyderabad," Parthasarathi, who hails from Krishna district, said.

The minister held a meeting with Krishna district officials, MLAs and other public representatives this morning.

He briefed Chief Minister K Rosaiah about the situation, who also agreed to admit the Vijayawada Lok Sabha member at NIMS.

Prior to his escape from the hospital last night, Rajagopal had sent a letter to Governor N D Tiwari complaining about the poor facilities in the Vijayawada Government Hospital and sought to be shifted to NIMS.

The State Human Rights Commission had also directed that Rajagopal be shifted to NIMS. However, the government did not shift him to NIMS fearing that it may lead to law and order problem in the Andhra Pradesh capital in the wake of protests by Telangana supporters.

The government wanted to admit him to NRI hospital near Guntur.

Rajagopal, who was taken into custody and admitted to the Vijayawada government hospital for the last four days, walked out of the hospital and sped away in a waiting SUV late last night.

About 300 policemen, providing security to the hospital, were caught off guard as the MP gave them a slip.

Though the policemen tried to chase the MP, they failed to nab him as he reportedly changed vehicles to evade being caught.