New Delhi:  With his health continuing to be a matter of concern, doctors today made a fresh appeal to Anna Hazare requesting him to call off his fast saying that it could lead to kidney failure. “We are worried,” said one of the doctors who examined him this morning.

There were signs of dehydration and further fasting was strongly discouraged, said Dr Ashwin Mehta of Jaslok Hospital, who examined Anna Hazare along with Dr P P Lahane, Dean of JJ Hospital.

The 74-old Gandhian who is into the second day of his three-day fast, has, however, shown no signs yet that he is willing to consider this request.

At the end of his first day of hunger strike, Anna’s fever had climbed to 102 degrees and his blood pressure was 170/104. His temperature had now come down to 100 degrees  but his blood pressure dropped to 105/70 when standing, making it difficult for him to walk, the doctor said.

Anna’s close aides are worried. Team Anna member Manish Sisodia said that it was imperative that Anna starts eating so that he could take medicines. “We are trying that he ends his fast,” he said. A doctor who examined him said that he had been advised rest but added that Anna was expected to be present on the stage nevertheless.

Anna’s family physician Dr Anirudh Dharmadhikari is among those who want him to end the fast. “He is stubborn and is sticking to his fast. In this state, it is wrong of him to fast. We might need to hospitalise him because he is coughing, has fever,” he said on Tuesday night.
After concerns were expressed about Anna’s health yesterday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan requested him to end his fast as did team members like Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi.

“He has fever, let us request him to stop his fast. Anna can continue his dharna,” Ms Bedi said.

“Anna is unwell. Will you request Anna to withdraw his fast?” she asked the crowd, which responded with a loud “Yes”.

However, Anna waved his hand to indicate that he would not change his mind.

Anna, who looked decidedly unwell when he appeared on stage yesterday, declared that he would give his life for the nation, but fight till the end for a strong anti-corruption law. All or nothing was Anna’s stand as he warned that the people of this country would teach the government a lesson since it was betraying the country.