Kerala CM, Governor visit ailing Jayalalithaa at Chennai

A stream of high profile visitors, including Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the Apollo Hospitals on Ocotber 10 where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is undergoing treatment.

According to the ruling AIADMK, however, their ailing leader is fine.

"All is well with Puratchi Thalaivi Amma (revolutionary leader mother)" the official twitter handle of the party, @AIADMKofficial, said.

Vijayan, accompanied by Sathasivam, visited the hospital and held discussions with hospital CMD Prathap Reddy.

"We met Dr Pathap Reddy and other doctors providing treatment to the Chief Minister. The specialists informed us that she was getting good response from the treatment," Sathasivam told reporters adding that she is likely to be discharged soon.

"And within a short period, she is likely to be discharged and it is possible for her to take charge of administration. We also pray for her speedy recovery," he said.

Vijayan said they had come to "convey the collective good wishes of the people of Kerala."

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor, Kiran Bedi, also visited the hospital and said she was informed by Dr Reddy that Jayalalithaa was "progressing."

"He said Amma (as Jayalalithaa is addressed) is under very good care and that she is progressing. I would like to pray for her to keep progressing. I have come here due to absolute respect as a neighbour as Puducherry is a neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and it is my duty to be here," she said.

Bedi, who assumed charge in May, said she had wanted to meet the Chief Minister, especially to place a request for land for the expansion of Puducherry airport.

She said she was looking forward to meet Jayalalithaa and hoped for such a meeting to happen soon.

"The good news is that Dr Reddy says Amma is progressing and responding to treatment. Doctor is the best judge, last word for the patient. So, we should make no guesses, conjectures and we have no choice but to trust and respect what the doctor says," she said.

"We all are praying and our respect and regards are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this big hour of challenge," she said.

Meanwhile, AIADMK workers and supporters continued to hold prayers across the state in different places of worship for Jayalalithaa's speedy recovery.

On October 9, political leaders including Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss had visited the hospital to enquire about Jayalalithaa's health.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had also visited the hospital last Friday.

Jayalalithaa was hospitalised on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration.

In a release on October 8, Apollo Hospitals had said that Jayalalithaa was undergoing lung decongestion as well as other "comprehensive measures", including passive physiotherapy, and that she continues to be under constant monitoring.