Setting aside their bitter political rivalry, DMK leader MK Stalin visited the Apollo Hospital in Chennai to check on the health of ailing Tamil Nadu CM Jalaylithaa.
Although Stalin was not able to meet the AIADMK supremo, he said he met Finance Minister O Panneerselvam and Health Minister Vijaya Bhaskar.
Karunanidhi had already released a statement wishing her the best of health and she should return to govern soon. We came to the hospital to inquire about her health. We met minister O Panneerselvam and Vijaya Bhaskar. We have been informed that she is recovering. We hope that she gets well soon.MK Stalin, DMK Leader
Arriving at the hospital just past 7pm, Stalin was accompanied by DMK leaders Duraimurgan and K Ponmudi.
Among the other hospital visitors on Saturday were MDMK Chief Vaiko, BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan and CPI(M) state secretary G Ramakrishnan.
MDMK chief Vaiko, who arrived at the Greames Road hospital around 11 am on Friday, spent more than an hour’s time speaking with doctors about Jayalalithaa’s health.
All the sadness of the AIADMK cadres will be wiped off soon. She is fine and the CM will soon return home. She was the one who fought for the Cauvery issue and fought for the farmers. I spoke with the doctors, especially the doctor who came from London twice, and thanked him. I pray to god for her recovery.Vaiko, MDMK Leader
Like Stalin and Vaiko, CPI (M)’s G Ramakrishnan was only able to meet only the CM’s doctors and senior cabinet ministers.
I wish her speedy recovery. Doctors are giving her best treatment. I inquired about her health with doctors and senior ministers. I hope she gets back to public life soon.G Ramakrishnan, CPI (M) Leader
BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan reached the hospital around 3pm and spoke to the doctors for around 15 minutes.
Speaking highly about Jayalalithaa’s comebacks in her political career, the state BJP president said she will make a similar comeback, this time on the health front.
“I came to know about the treatment given to her and she is in the recovery phase. There are high chances of her recovering fully and I'm very much hopeful about it. Experts are giving her the best treatment. Jayalalithaa has faced many political challenges and have won those challenges, same way she will win this time also,” Soundararajan said.
Soundararajan’s visit comes a day after Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi made a surprise visit to Chennai and reportedly spent 30 minutes in the hospital enquiring about her health.
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"The Chief Minister is improving well and she is going to be all right," Gandhi had told reporters waiting outside the Greams Road hospital.
Prayers were held across the state by AIADMK supporters for the speedy recovery of their party chief.
Among others, the state-run Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University organised a mass prayer of students and teachers here for Jayalalithaa's recovery.
Devotional songs and music were played, including by the varsity's Vice-Chancellor E Gayathri, a veena exponent.
Prayers were also held by party supporters at different places of worship in different parts of the state.
The Apollo hospital had said on Friday that "Jayalalithaa continues to improve but requires a longer stay at the hospital".
Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital on 22 September after she complained of fever and dehydration.
(With Inputs from The News Minute and PTI)
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