Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, who has been on a hunger strike for the last 23 days, was put on emergency oxygen support after she developed breathing problems this afternoon. The oxygen was administered to her by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a party leader who is also a practising physician.

A medical team comprising three doctors, one nurse and one technician from the SSKM Hospital was also sent by the government, according to the Chief Minister’s press secretary. But Mamata refused to allow them to treat her. Ever since she launched her hunger strike on December 3 to protest against the alleged forcible acquisition of farmland for the Tata Motors small-car project in Singur, Mamata has refused to allow government doctors to examine her.

The stalemate seems to be fast developing into a test of patience between the two sides.

While the State Government remained firm that it would not intervene to end Mamata’s fast, the Trinamool leader is evidently mounting pressure with her adamant stand to continue the hunger strike.

As her health deteriorated today, there was tension among the assembled crowd at the dharna site. The Trinamool Congress leaders went into a huddle at the back of the stage, probably to decide on the course of action should her condition deteriorate further.

Meanwhile, several Trinamool MLAs today courted arrest and staged demonstrations outside the State Secretariat here, defying prohibitory orders. “We will immolate ourselves here if the worst happens to Mamata. And it will be Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee who will be responsible for this,’’ warned MLA Saugata Roy. Eighteen MLAs were taken into police custody, but later

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