'Fasting' Naidu evicted from Andhra Bhavan, moved to RML Hospital

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, who has been on a fast for five days in the national capital against the Centre's decision to create a separate state of Telangana, was moved to the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital from Andhra Bhavan on Friday afternoon.

Scores of TDP supporters tried their best to ensure that their party supremo was not evicted from the Andhra Bhavan, the venue of his fast.

The TDP supporters waved flags and shouted united Andhra slogans. They also blocked the way for the police and the ambulance.

Naidu, who has been fasting since Monday to protest the manner in which the Congress decided to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh, had earlier said the ruling party at the Centre had taken the decision for political gains.

Meanwhile, the reconstituted Group of Ministers (GoM) looking into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh held its first meeting here today to expedite the process of creation of a separate state of Telangana.

The GoM, which was chaired by Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, held discussions to assure people of Andhra Pradesh that their concerns would be addressed with fairness and objectivity.

Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad after the meeting today said that the full-fledged meeting would be held on October 19.

"Today, we just discussed as to how to go about, what are the parameters we should fix and it was basically on that and the full-fledged meeting we are going to have on 19th of this month," said Azad.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, V. Narayanasamy, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh were among those who attended the GoM meeting.

The Central Government had earlier on Tuesday reorganized the GoM, cutting its strength from 10 to seven ministers.

Stating that the GoM on Telangana will submit its report as early as possible, Shinde yesterday said justice will be given to people of Andhra Pradesh.

"The government will take the decision. All points will be taken into consideration and justice will be given to Andhra people," he told media here.

On October 3, the Union Cabinet had decided to go ahead with the process for the creation of a separate Telangana state carved out from Andhra Pradesh.