Jose K Mani MP's fast enters fifth day; health deteriorates

Kottayam: The condition of Kerala Congress (Mani) leader Jose K Mani, who is on an indefinite fast seeking to save the rubber farm sector from collapse, deteriorated Friday on the fifth day of his stir.

A team of government doctors had on Thursday evening visited the young leader, son of Kerala Congress (M) supremo and former Finance Minister K M Mani.

Doctors said he was getting weaker by the day and had high blood pressure.

Though they insisted that Jose be shifted to a hospital, he refused, saying he would not go back till his demands, including a complete ban on import of rubber and pegging of prices of rubber at Rs 200 per kg, are met.

"This is an uncompromising fight to save rubber farmers. I will not go back from this struggle. I am committed to the cause of farmers and cannot ignore their hardships," Jose K Mani said.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had visited the Kottayam MP, who is staging a protest in front of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi with a large number of farmers and wished him all success in the struggle.

Jose K Mani has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention to find a lasting solution to the problems of rubber farmers.

His major demands also include Rs 500 crore allocation from Central Price Stabilisation Fund to grant subsidy to thousands of farmers who are completely dependant on rubber for their livelihood in the state.

He has also sought a complete reorganisation of rubber board and waving tax of rubber farmers till the product gets a reasonable price.