Stir against rural posting takes political turn

Chennai, Nov 22 (UNI) The ongoing agitation by the Medicos in protest against the Centre's move to make one year rural posting mandatory, took a political turn with leaders of various parties pledging their support, in a bid to exert pressure on Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss to drop the proposal.

Even as the relay hunger strike by the Medicos entered the third day today, leaders of major political parties expressed their solidarity with them.

The main Opposition AIADMK took the lead and other parties including, the two left parties, MDMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Puthiya Tamizhagam and All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi followed suit.

On behalf of AIADMK, former Ministers D Jayakumar, Thalavai Sundaram and party Legislator P K Sekar Babu met the students at the Madras Medical College and offered their support.

Actor-Politician Sarath Kumar and Puthiya Tamizhagam leader K Krishnasamy also visited the striking students and pledged their support to them.

As the day proceeded, the political support swelled with MDMK General Secretary and CPI leader R Nallakkanu calling on the medicos and said the students were just in their demand.

Pledging their support, students of Dr Ambedkar Government Law College would join the protest tomorrow.

Even as political leaders made a beeline to the MMC where the medicos were on fast, another actor-turned politician and DMDK founder Vijayakanth came to their defence stating that it was not fair to ask the students to compulsorily serve in villages.

''They can serve rural areas after completion of their five-and-a-half year study. For this, the Union Government should come forward to fully support the students,' he added.

Reports in political circles suggest that the growing political support was likely to bring more pressure on the Centre and Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss to shelve his proposal, albeit temporarily.

Meanwhile, the medicos decided to intensify their stir by launching an indefinite fast from tomorrow to urge the Centre to drop the move.

(ED : PICK UP SUITABLY FROM EARLIER SERIES).

UNI