Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao visited the Apollo Hospital in Chennai on Saturday where Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is admitted for treatment since September 22. He expressed happiness at her recovery. He visited the ward where she was being treated but media reports claimed he did not meet her.
A Raj Bhavan statement said the Governor was briefed by Pratap C Reddy, the Chairman of the Apollo Group of Hospitals, and was happy that the best medical care is being provided to her. The statement said the Governor visited the CM in the ward and wished speedy recovery.
A multi-organ failure treatment specialist and acute lung injury expert has been flown in from the UK. Dr Richard John Beale from the London Bridge Hospital examined her on Friday. The last update from the hospital on Thursday had said she was “responding well” to treatment but had been advised to stay in hospital for observation. A medical bulletin was expected on Saturday but did not happen, giving rise to rumours over Jayalalithaa’s health condition.
Four cases have been filed by AIADMK leaders for spreading rumours over her health condition as the Chennai Police Commissioner says rumour mongers on social media will be detained under the IT Act. A case was filed on Friday against one Tamizhachi who had reportedly posted on Facebook that the CM has died.
DMK chief Karunanidhi had said on Friday that the Governor had not gone and met the Chief Minister who has been in hospital for more than a week. He wished speedy recovery of the CM and called on the governor to intervene in the matter.
The AIADMK on Saturday rejected Karunanidhi’s call to release a photograph. A party leader said: “She is recovering well. We hope she is discharged soon. It is not necessary to release pictures of Jayalalithaa. We are answerable only to people, not the opposition.”