Jayalalithaa being closely monitored by experts as supporters pray

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who's said to be critical after suffering a cardiac arrest , continued to be closely monitored this morning by expert team of doctors at Apollo Hospital, where she has been undergoing treatment for more than two months.

The 68-year-old chief minister is still on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation through a heart assist device , a machine she was put on yesterday.

Doctors are trying their "very best", the hospital said early today, hours after she suffered the cardiac arrest.


Police and CRPF personnel have been deployed throughout Chennai and across the state as authorities fear a law and order situation. Several schools have also been shut in the city.

A large number of AIADMK supporters have been staying outside the hospital since yesterday. There is unprecedented security at the hospital to deal with the burgeoning crowds, even as worried party supporters continue to pray for her recovery. State DGP T K Rajendran yesterday asked all police personnel to remain on duty from today "until further orders".

"They should report in full uniform with their vehicles for law and order bandobust duty until further orders," he said.



Apollo last night announced a sudden deterioration in

Jayalalithaa's health

, hours after the hospital said she was recovering well after having been admitted September 22. "She is being treated and monitored by a team of experts, including cardiologists, pulmonologists and critical care specialists," said a statement last night by Chief Operating Officer of

Apollo Hospitals

Dr Subbaiah Viswanathan.

Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration, and later treated for infection and respiratory problem.

The Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, who is also the Governor of Maharashtra, air-dashed to Chennai from Mumbai and visited Apollo Hospital last night.

Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, who arrived at the airport here this morning, said all BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were praying for her complete and swift recovery.

AIADMK Ministers, who have been staying at the hospital since yesterday, left this morning. They didn't comment to the mediapersons waiting outside the hospital.

Party workers, who had gathered in large numbers outside the hospital after news of her cardiac arrest broke, braved overnight rain and continued to wait there today, praying for the recovery of 'Amma' (mother), as she is fondly called by her supporters.

Actor and party supporter, 'Gundu' Kalyanam, said party workers "had faith in the divine power" and expressed confidence that Jayalalithaa would recover.

President Pranab Mukherjee , DMK leader M Karunanidhi, his son and opposition leader K Stalin, several Union Ministers, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, many Chief Ministers and a host of other leaders have wished Jayalalithaa a speedy recovery.




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