Zeenews Bureau
Mumbai: An unrelenting Anna Hazare, who is suffering from fever on Tuesday refused to give up his fast despite requests from close aides Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal.
Speaking at the MMRDA grounds here after starting his three-day fast to press for a strong Lokpal bill, Hazare said though he had fever, the people's support was motivating him to go on.
"Doctors have checked me. Earlier my temperature was fine but now it has increased. But seeing you all present here motivates me and my morale increases," he added.
Hazare said he had not eaten anything for the past three days as he was unwell.
"I haven't had food for past three days. Today for two-and-a-half hours, I was standing on vehicle. Still, I don't have any problems," he said.
"I am not afraid of dying. I have decided that when I die it will be for the country and as long as I live I will work for the betterment of this country," he added.
According to a doctor who attended the Gandhian at the MMRDA grounds at Bandra-Kurla complex, Hazare is suffering from 'viral infection' and his fever shot up to 102 degree F while the blood pressure rose to 170/96 level. His pulse rate has also gone up to 98, the doctor said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said he spoke to Hazare and appealed to him to reconsider his decision to continue his fast owing to his health condition.
There were concerns about 74-year-old Hazare's health as he was suffering from viral infection. Alarmed by his ill health, prominent members of his team appealed to him to end the hunger strike.
The 74-year-old activist was suffering from viral infection.
"He has fever, let us request him to stop his fast. Anna can continue his dharna," Bedi said addressing supporters at the MMRDA ground where Hazare was sitting on fast.
"Anna is unwell. Will you request Anna to withdraw his fast?" Bedi asked the crowd, which responded with a loud "Yes".
However, Hazare, looking quite under the weather, waved his hand in a gesture of "No".
Kejriwal and another close aide Manish Sisodia also requested Hazare to end his fast.
However, Hazare’s personal assistant Suresh Pathare had been insisting that Hazare was well and he will be sitting on fast.
The concerns over Hazare’s health were expressed as people failed to turn up in large numbers at the fast venue - MMRDA Ground in Bandra-Kurla Complex.
Even Team Anna members acknowledged a poor response today, saying they are appealing to people to come and support the cause in large numbers tomorrow.
"Anna is unwell. Will you request Anna to withdraw his fast?" Bedi had asked the crowd earlier, which responded with a loud "Yes". However, Hazare, looking quiet under the weather, waved his hand in a gesture of "No".
According to Bedi and Kejriwal, Anna has viral fever, cough and cold.
First Published: Tuesday, December 27, 2011, 14:37