Die-hard fan attempts to consume pesticide; rushed to hospital

Mysuru: Supporters of Congress MLA Tanveer Sait and Youth Congress workers staged a protest outside his residence at Udayagiri this noon after he was denied a Cabinet berth, with one die-hard fan allegedly  attempting to consume pesticide during the demonstration.

The supporter was immediately rushed to the Manipal Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment. His condition was not immediately known. Tanveer Sait visited him at the hospital.

The emotionally charged protest, which began outside Sait’s residence, saw workers raising slogans in support of the six-time MLA and condemning the party leadership.

The protesters shouted slogans such as, “Resign, Sir!”, “Why are those who oppose the party rewarded with Ministerial posts while loyalists are denied justice?” and “Those who pay are made Ministers, while loyal workers are ignored.”

“You have done nothing wrong. Those who recently joined the party or betrayed it have been rewarded, while loyal leaders have been ignored,” they told him. Sait was seen consoling a tearful supporter.

The protesters claimed Sait’s name had earlier been considered for a Cabinet berth during the Chief Minister’s visit to Mysuru, but the assurance was not honoured.

The agitation later spilled onto M.G. Road in Udayagiri and also at Manipal Hospital junction where Congress workers continued their protest, demanding justice for Sait and urging him to take a firm stand against what they described as injustice.