BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister BS YediyurappaPolitical secretary and relative NR Santosh, who was hospitalized after an alleged suicide attempt, is “stable and cheerful” and could be discharged in a day or two, doctors who treated him said Saturday.
According to sources, Santosh is said to have attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills on Friday night.
Finding him unconscious at his Dollars Colony residence here, family members have taken him to Ramaiah Memorial Hospital.
Santhosh (31) was brought in around 8.30pm with a suspected history of using sleeping pills around 7pm, hospital president Dr. Naresh Shetty said in a statement.
Noting that he was drowsy upon admission, the doctor said that he was given the appropriate treatment immediately and all investigations were carried out.
“He has been taking sleeping pills from time to time for his sleep disorders according to his history.
This morning, the patient is stable. He has had breakfast and is happy. The plan is to transfer the patient to the guard post today at noon.
He could be discharged in one or two days depending on his health and recovery, “the statement added.
Addressing the media, the hospital’s ICU specialist Dr. Deepak said that Santosh was stable without drowsiness and that all of his blood pressure, pulse and heart rate parameters were good.
Upon consultation, the doctor said that Santhosh had taken alprazolam sleeping pills.
Yediyurappa had rushed to the hospital last night to ask about Santosh’s health.
“This morning we walked together for 45 minutes. Even yesterday I saw him, he was happy. I don’t know why this happened. I’ll find out and talk to his family,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sadashivanagar police registered an FIR against Santosh for allegedly attempting suicide and are investigating, police sources said.
The case has been registered under section 309 of the IPC.
(Suicide attempt), they said, adding that the police will question Santosh after following the doctor’s advice once he recovers.
They have recorded the statement of his wife Jahnavi.
Speaking to reporters, Jahnavi rejected reports of any marital problems, saying there was a “political imbalance”, which he had taken seriously.
“He was upset since morning (yesterday), he had gone out at night and came back around 7 pm.
It was on the top floor. When I went to call him for dinner, he was in no condition to speak and was losing consciousness, “he said.
Santosh, who is Yediyurappa’s great-nephew, was appointed political secretary to the Chief Minister in May this year.
He had also served as Yediyurappa’s personal assistant when he was leader of the opposition and chairman of the BJP state.
Recently there were reports that Santosh might resign as political secretary to the Chief Minister, citing differences with few in Yediyurappa’s inner circles.
BJP’s state vice president and Yediyurappa’s son BY Vijayendra said they were shocked by the incident.
“He is recovering … later we will talk to him about the issue … I do not want to respond to speculation, I have seen in the media that his resignation was sought, there is no need for unnecessary discussions.
The Chief Minister will decide who should be given what position, “he said.
Santosh is said to have played a key role during the political turmoil in the state last year that saw various congressional-JD (S) lawmakers go rogue and camped out in Mumbai.
It had eventually led to the downfall of the coalition government led by HD Kumaraswamy and BJP came to power.
Santosh, who has kept a low profile for some time, is said to have been nurturing political ambitions with his sights set on the upcoming assembly elections.
.
