Tamil Nadu's acting governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday evening visited Chennai's Apollo hospital, where Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is admitted. He was briefed by the doctors treating her, the government's statement said, though it did not specify that he met her. The governor's visit comes at a time when the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief's health has been the subject of frenzied speculation in the state. While her party claims she is recovering, there has been widespread speculation that she is seriously unwell.
A doctor from the United Kingdom was flown to Chennai to examine Jayalalithaa earlier on Saturday. She had been admitted to the private hospital for dehydration and fever on September 22.
The hospital had announced on Thursday that she was in stable condition, but rumours have been circulating that her health has deteriorated and the party has played down her illness. Apollo Hospital has released three medical bulletins on the leader’s health since she was admitted there.
Dr Richard John Beale, who is a specialist from London, reportedly asked for more tests to be performed on the chief minister. AIADMK leader P Valaramathi said, “Amma [Jayalalithaa] is healthy. She needs rest as per doctors’ advice and will return in good health,” PTI reported. AIADMK spokesperson Panruti Ramachandran announced she was recovering well and that the party was hopeful she would be soon be discharged, The News Minute reported.
He told reporters, “It is not necessary to release [a] picture of Jayalalithaa… Anyone can fall sick. Even Hillary [Clinton] fell sick. Only doctors can give correct position”. Dravida Munnetra Kazagham leader M Karunanidhi on Friday wished the chief minister good health, but demanded that pictures of her be released to put rumours to rest.
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