Karnataka CM's political secretary hospitalised after suicide attempt

Karnataka Chief Minister, BS Yediyurappa’s, political secretary and relative, NR Santhosh, who was hospitalised following an alleged suicide attempt, is stable and cheerful, and may be discharged in a day or two, doctors treating him said on Saturday.

According to sources, Santhosh is said to have attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills on Friday night. On finding him unconscious at his Dollars Colony residence in Bengaluru, family members rushed him to Ramaiah Memorial Hospital.

Santhosh (31) was brought at about 8.30 pm with an alleged history of consumption of sleeping tablets at around 7 pm, the Hospital President, Dr Naresh Shetty, said in a statement.

Noting that on admission he was drowsy, the doctor said appropriate treatment was administered immediately and all investigations were carried out.

“He has been taking sleeping tablets occasionally for his sleep disturbance as per past history. This morning, the patient is stable. He had his breakfast and is cheerful. The plan is to shift the patient to the ward post noon today.”

“He may be discharged in a day or two based on his health status and recovery,” the statement added. Addressing the media, ICU specialist at the hospital Dr Deepak said Santhosh was stable without any drowsiness and all his parameters BP, pulse, and heart rate were good. To a query, the doctor said Santhosh had taken sleeping pills Alprazolam.

Yediyurappa had rushed to the hospital late last night to inquire about Santhosh’s health. “This morning, we walked together for 45 minutes. Even yesterday I saw him, he was happy. I dont know why this happened. I will find out and talk to his family,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Sadashivanagar police have registered an FIR against Santhosh for allegedly attempting to kill himself and are investigating, police sources said.

The case has been registered under section 309 of the IPC (attempt to commit suicide), they said, adding the police will question Santhosh after taking doctors advice once he recovers.

They have recorded his wife, Jahnavi’s, statement. Speaking to reporters, Jahnavi rejected reports about any marital issues and said there was some “political imbalance,” which he had taken to heart.

“He was upset since morning (yesterday), he had gone out in the evening and came back around 7 pm. He was on the top floor. When I had gone to call him for dinner he was not in a position to speak and was losing consciousness,” she said.

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Santhosh, who is Yediyurappa’s grand nephew, was appointed as the Chief Minister’s political secretary in May this year. He had also served as Yediyurappa’s personal assistant when he was Leader of Opposition and BJP state President.

Recently, there were reports that Santosh may resign from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary, citing differences with a few in Yediyurappa’s inner circles. BJP state Vice President and Yediyurappa’s son, BY Vijayendra, said they were shocked over the incident.

“He is recovering….later we will talk to him about the issue.. I don’t want to respond to speculations, I have seen in the media that his resignation was sought, there is no need for unnecessary discussions. The Chief Minister will decide on who should be given what position,” he said.

Santhosh is said to have played a key role during the political turmoil in the state last year, which saw several Congress-JD(S) legislators turning rebels and camping in Mumbai. It had eventually led to the fall of the coalition government headed by HD Kumaraswamy and BJP came to power.

Santhosh, who has been keeping a low profile for some time now, is said to have been nursing political ambitions with an eye on next assembly polls.