Madani’s health deteriorates; Chandy to meet Shettar

Mangalore Today/ CNN/IBN

Thiruvanathapuram, Jan 03: Abdul Nasser Madani, an accused in the 2008 Bangalore blast, is currently at a Bangalore jail facing trial. But his deteriorating health is becoming a political issue with his family claiming the state is denying him treatment, prompting the Kerela Chief Minister to fly to Karnataka to meet his counterpart.

 

 

Son of Madani, Umar Mukhthar said, "When the last time I went to visit him, he said to me and my brother that he was totally worried that the next time we go to meet him with all the problems in his eyes, he will not be able to see us. So he started crying and my brother also started crying." Madani’s family fear the worst.

His health is a concern for the Kerala government too. Chief Minister Ooomen Chandy is expected to raise the issue with his Karnataka counterpart Jagadish Shettar when they meet in Bangalore on Thursday.

Chandy said that he will speak on the issue only after returning from Bangalore.

The medical reports accessed by CNN-IBN show Madani, who suffers from diabetes, also has diabetic retinopathy which could lead to blindness. The Karnataka Institute of Diabetology which initially treated him in July 2010 had recommended a review in two months, but the reports show he was taken for treatment only six months later.

Madani’s health is now turning a political hot potato in Kerala. While the Muslim league sent a delegation to meet Madhani, senior CPM leader MA Baby too met with him on Wednesday.

For the last two days every political party in Kerala has been sending a representative to meet Madani at the Karnataka jail, signs which clearly show that he might be an accused in a blast case, but as far as the political fortunes in the state are concerned, Madani’s well being is yet again vital.