DMK Chief M Karunanidhi has issued a statement expressing surprise at the news that ailing TN Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has asked for the reallocation of her portfolios to Finance Minister O Panneerselvam.

 Karunanidhi says, 'It's surprising to know that the Chief Minister has advised TN Governor to reallocate the portfolios held by her to O Panneerselvam and has signed in the advisory at a time when there are reports that no one is being allowed to meet her at the hospital."

On Tuesday, a press release from Raj Bhavan stated that, "Under Clause(3) of Article 166 of the Constitution of India, His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu today allocated the subjects hirtherto dealt with by Hon'ble Chief Minister Selvi J Jayalalithaa, to Thiru O Panneerselvam Ministor for Finance, Personnel and Administrative Reforms."

Despite several high profile visitors including Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visiting Apollo Hospital in Chennai, where Jayalalithaa is admitted, none of them has had access to the Chief Minister. Visiting leaders have, instead, met Jayalalithaa's doctors and senior cabinet ministers.

Karunanidhi also cites a letter written by sacked AIADMK MP Sasikala Pushpa to the governor, alleging that some people may try to forge the TN CM's signature. He points out that no one from the government has refuted this allegation.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sasikala Puspha's letter urged the governor to verify the signatures of the CM on official documents, stating, “It is feared that some people around Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, now hospitalized, may forge her signature to nominate a deputy general secretary to AIADMK and the government also.”

Khurana, who was the TN governor in 1984 when CM MGR was hospitalized, found himself in a similar predicament. The CM's portfolios were reallocated to then Finance Minister Nedunchezyian. However, this was done only after seeking legal advice as India Today reports. Considering there's no clarity on Jayalalithaa's health status, the DMK chief has raised questions on whether she actually signed the advisory transferring the CM's portfolios to O Pannerselvam. The similarities between the Apollo stints of Jayalalithaa and MGR continue to grow.