Sanjay Nirupam's indefinite hunger strike enters second day, health stable

Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Nirupam's indefinite hunger strike against high power tariff entered its second day on Friday, with doctors keeping a constant watch on his health conditions.

"Sanjay Nirupam's health is fine. His pulse rate is 84. Blood Pressure (BP) is 140/90. We are keeping regular watch on him. We are going to take his blood test and urine test after some time. We all hope that he remains fit and he is successful in his protest," Dr. Narendra Kumar said.

Earlier on Thursday, Nirupam began an indefinite hunger strike over a demand for a reduction in power tariff in Mumbai.

Nirupam and his followers are holding a protest outside the office of the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Energy, stating that Reliance Energy is accountable to the people of the city who are reeling under the high power tariff.

He has demanded that Reliance Power should remove the three surcharges and share the subsidy burden with the Maharashtra Government so as to give relief to the people of Mumbai.

"But why should the Maharashtra Government alone take the burden of compensating the loss incurred after the subsidy. We wanted Reliance to share the burden with the Maharashtra Government," he said.

Earlier on Monday, the Maharashtra Government announced a 20 percent cut in power tariff for the industrial and agriculture classes of consumers. However, this decision excluded Mumbai consumers who mostly get power supply from Reliance Infrastructure.