Naidu urges people not to spread rumours about Jayalalithaa

Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday urged people not to spread rumours or speculate around the ailment of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa who has been hospitalised from quite some time.

Naidu said useless speculation over an ill popular political figure is neither good for the people of the state, nor the patient herself.

"Yesterday I came here exclusively to visit her and enquire about madam Jayalalithaa. Doctors are giving her the needed treatment, she is responding to that. She is a woman with strong will power, I am confident that she will recover soon and serve the people of Tamil Nadu," said Naidu.

"I would also like to say that when a popular leader is not well, it is not correct to spread rumours or speculate. Doing such is neither in the favour of the people nor for the person who is hospitalised," he added.

As Jayalalithaa's stay in the hospital has increased, political circles here are abuzz with rumours that a new chief minister in-charge could be appointed to rule the state.

Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration.

Apart from Naidu, Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, BJP state president Tamilisai Sounderarajan, DMK leader M.K. Stalin and CPI (M) leader D. Raja have so far paid visits to the ailing Chief Minister.