Apollo Hospital says Jayalalithaa still critical

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa continues to remain in a critical state after suffering a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening at the Apollo Hospital here, where she has been admitted since September 22.

In a statement, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Apollo Hospital, Dr. Subbaiah Viswanathan, said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is being treated and monitored by a team of experts and critical care specialists.

In a tweet late last night, Apollo Hospital's Joint Managing Director Sangita Reddy said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is critical and a multi specialty team is trying everything possible.

Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, who was in Mumbai, rushed to Chennai on hearing the news and visited the hospital late last night. Tamil Nadu Ministers and top police officials are also keeping a vigil on emerging developments and have held informal consultations on how to deal with the situation.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been informed about Jayalalithaa's poor state of health and have expressed their distress and concern.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister K.Pandiarajan has said all educational institutions in the state will function today.

The Tamil Nadu government has sought the help of paramilitary forces to handle the crowd in case of any emergency.

Security has been stepped up across the city to attend any eventuality.

Buses plying out of Chennai have been reduced tonight and security in the state capital has been tightened.

The Director General of Police Rajendran has asked the police officials to be present in full attendance by 7. a.m. this morning.

As the news started trickling down, AIADMK cadres began gathering in front of the Apollo Hospital.

Union Information and Broadcasting M.Venkaiah Naidu said in a tweet that he is praying for her quick response to the treatment and speedy recovery.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman described the news as very upsetting.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi has also wished her speedy recovery.

Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly M K Stalin expressed hope that the treatment being given to Jayalalithaa would yield results and she will recover soon.

In his tweet, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said he is praying for Jayalalithaa's quick recovery. He expressed the hope that she will get better very soon.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a tweet that people of his state are praying for her recovery.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, she was also very concerned about the health of Jayalalithaa and prayed for her speedy recovery.

Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad echoed similar sentiments.