Jayalalithaa suffers cardiac arrest, under observation

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa, who has been undergoing treatment at Apollo hospital in Chennai for over two months, suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening.

The 68-year-old leader who heads the AIADMK, the ruling party in the state, "is being treated and monitored by a team of doctors including cardiologists, pulmonologists and critical care specialists," the hospital said in a statement.

Soon after the Apollo statement came, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao who rushed to Chennai from Mumbai and visited the hospital. Rao, who spent 14 minutes in the hospital, left without meeting the media, though an official announcement was expected from him. Rao is the Governor of Maharashtra and is holding the additional charge of Tamil Nadu.

Giving further details on Jayalalithaa's health condition, the hospital said on Twitter that the chief minister was on extracorporeal membrane heart assist device and was being treated by a team of expert doctors and critical care specialists.

“Our prayers are with her and we hope she will recover soon. We request all of you to pray for her good health and well being. #GodblessAmma,” it said.

In another tweet, it said Dr Richard Beale from London had also been consulted and that he had concurred with the line of treatment by their cardiologists and pulmonologists.

Police on high alert

Security has been beefed up as scores of party workers have thronged the hospital on Greams Road after the news of her health broke. Our correspondent says that the situation in front of the hospital is very tense with anxious party workers and 'Amma' loyalists shouting slogans like "Amma vaazhga, Puratchi thalaivi vaazhga!! (Long live Amma, Long live revolutionary leader)." Some of the party workers tried to break the barricades and enter the hospital.

While a large police contingent was deployed at the hospital, reports said that security was being stepped up across the state. Tamil Nadu DGP has asked all police officers and personnel to report for duty by 7 am on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people not to spread panic. “Let's together Pray for the Wellness of Amma who's being treated at Apollo hospital for Cardiac Arrest. #jayalalithaa,” he said on Twitter.

All top ministers and several political leaders in the state have already reached the hospital. Setting political rivalry aside, DMK President M.Karunanidhi and Treasurer M.K.Stalin wished Jayalalalithaa a speedy recovery.

The latest development came days after the hospital announced that the chief minister had fully recovered and could be discharged at anytime.

Apollo Hospitals Chairman Dr C. Prathap Reddy had recently said Jayalalithaa was in good health and was speaking using a valve attached to the tracheostomy tube.

Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital with “fever and dehydration” on September 22. The doctors later said she needed a longer hospital stay as she was suffering from infection and put her on respiratory support.

In early November, Jayalalithaa had issued a signed statement in which she said she had a "rebirth" because of prayers of the people.

(With inputs from Lakshmi Subramanian)

Wishes pour in