A week after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was admitted at a private hospital in Chennai for fever and dehydration, DMK President M Karunanidhi has urged the state government to put to rest the rumours surrounding the CM’s health.
In a statement released on Friday, Karunanidhi said the Tamil Nadu government has a responsibility to inform the people regarding the health status of the Chief Minister. He also urged the Governor to ensure that this is done to allay the fears of the people.
The 92-year-old leader stated that there were reports of Jayalalithaa attending a meeting on the Cauvery issue from her hospital bed, but there has been no photographic evidence either of her treatment at the hospital nor her meeting with the officials.
Jayalalithaa should send a video message. This suggestion was given by PMK Chief Dr Ramadoss but the government has not responded to this. The newspapers report that Jayalalithaa is doing all the official work from hospital, so taking a picture of her in hospital and publishing it will not be wrong.M Karunanidhi, DMK President
He also noted that several AIADMK party workers were confused over their leader’s health and were eager to know her condition. Karunanidhi pointed out that unnecessary rumours were being spread on social media because of the lack of information, and that the police were unable to find out who were spreading the rumours.
Drawing a comparison to former Chief Minister MGR’s stint in hospital, Karunanidhi said that the government at that time had a mechanism where officials informed the press and the people about his health status.
Karunanidhi said, “A similar method needs to be adopted now. This is the best way to stop the rumour that is flying thick and fast.”
Wishing her a speedy recovery, the DMK leader said, “I reiterate once again, even though I have ideological differences with her, I wish her a speedy recovery so she may resume her work.” He also added, “Even as I reiterate this, the state government should swing into action and put to rest all these rumours around her health and the governor should also ensure this is done. This is the wish of the people of Tamil Nadu.”
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)