Patients sick of minister's 'illness'

The reason, other patients say, is that Halappa's rather prolonged stay has become a nuisance, as his security personnel do not allow their relatives to visit them.

Among the patients at the hospital, is environmentalist Salumarada Timmakka, who is noted for planting and tending 284 banyan trees along a 4-km stretch on the highway near Magadi, an hour's drive from the city.
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Salumaradau00a0 Thimmakka was hospitalised at Victoria last week, due to age-related ailments. Many wanted to meet Thimmakka, but the security guards are stonewalling the entire floor.

An octogenarian, Thimmakka was hospitalised at Victoria last week due to age-related ailments in the ward next to Hallappa's on the second floor of the Centenary building of the hospital.

Many want to see Thimmakka, but Halappa's security guards are stonewalling the entire floor.

"While Halappa's long stay is questionable, the hospital's stand to stop people at the gate is criminal," said
S Manohar, president, Bangalore City Youth Congress.

He had been to the hospital along yesterday morning to see Thimmakka, but he was stopped at the gate. It was only after he staged a protest, that the hospital staff allowed him in.

While B G Tilak, medical superintendent, Victoria Hospital, was not available for his comments, a senior doctor said, "Halappa's presence is affecting the functioning of the hospital."

He added that even Manohar's visit was politically motivated.

While there was a widespread criticism over politicians not turning up to see Thimmakka, former minister and BJP MLA Shobha Kaandlaje announced she would be visiting the ailing environmentalist at 3 pm yesterday.

Manohar is understood to have gone there in the morning to beat her in terms of the timing.

u00a0Thimmakka, expressed her ignorance over the issue. "I can't understand all this. I want a hospital at my village and the government must do something in this regard."

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