Political leaders continued to make a beeline to Apollo Hospital in Chennai, where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is admitted. Her counterpart from neighbouring Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, flew into the city on Monday, arriving at the private hospital at 1:30pm, to enquire about Jayalalithaa’s health. Pinarayi was accompanied by Kerala Governor P Sathasivam, who hails from Erode district in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters after his 30-minute visit at the hospital, Pinarayi said, “We came to see Jaayalalithaa and enquire about her health. The information from the hospital is good. We met the doctors treating her. I am happy that she is recovering.” He also wished Jayalalithaa a speedy recovery and extended his full support to the people of Tamil Nadu.
Most political visitors to the hospital have been unable to meet with Jayalalithaa. Over the last few days, a number of leaders have chosen to visit the Greams Road hospital to enquire about Jayalalithaa. While Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, CPI’s D Raja and TMC’s GK Vasan visited the hospital on Sunday, DMK Treasurer and Leader of Opposition MK Stalin set aside political rivalry briefly and met the Finance Minister O Paneerselvam and Health Minister Vijaya Bhaskar at the hospital on Saturday.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had flown into Chennai on Friday on a surprise visit to show support to the ailing AIADMK leader. His visit came a day after BJP’s Subramanian Swamy demanded that President’s rule be imposed on the state owing to the Chief Minister’s illness. Since then, opposition parties like the DMK have also demanded that an interim Chief Minister be appointed, given that a number of issues like the Cauvery dispute and Mullaiperiyar among others, require urgent attention.
Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai, late on September 22. She has been advised a longer stay at the hospital and is presently being treated for “respiratory disorder and infection”. A medical bulletin on Saturday noted that the Chief Minister continues to be under constant monitoring by a panel of doctors that includes intensivists and consultants. “The respiratory support is closely watched and adjusted. Lungs decongestion treatment is being continued. All other comprehensive measures including nutrition, supportive therapy and passive physiotherapy are underway,” read the bulletin on the CM’s treatment.