Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has been admitted at Chennai's Apollo hospital since Thursday.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa held a meeting in hospital today with ministers and top officials to discuss her government's response in the Cauvery dispute with Karnataka.
She has deputed the state's Public Works Department minister Eapadi Palanisamy to attend a meeting in her stead with Karnataka chief minister Siddaramiah ordered by the Supreme Court, a press statement said.
Ms Jayalalithaa has been admitted at Chennai's Apollo hospital since last Thursday and is being treated for fever and dehydration. The hospital and the state government have issued multiple reports to say she is responding well to treatment and will be discharged soon, seeking to quell rumours that the chief minister is very unwell.
Ms Jayalalithaa, today's statement said, dictated the speech that will be read out at the meeting with Mr Siddaramiah, which the top court has ordered the centre to facilitate by Friday.
The chief minister was briefed on the developments today in the Supreme Court, which has ordered Karnataka to immediately release more water from the Cauvery River to downstream Tamil Nadu for the next three days, as it hears the state's arguments on not being in a position to release more water till December.
Apollo Hospital said in a statement on Sunday that while Ms Jayalalithaa "continues to get better," she is under observation and has been advised a few more days of rest. It had dismissed as "baseless" rumours that the chief minister had been taken abroad for treatment, after which violence had broken out in Vellore and Vaniyambadi on Monday night. Some IT firms in Chennai too sent their employees home early, fearing any break in the law and order situation.
PMK leader Ramadoss said the state government must take steps to curb spread of rumours and urged the chief minister to release a video from the hospital.
In the last three days, 107 Amma canteens have been inaugurated, free Amma Wi-Fi zones scheme announced and nominations for local body elections submitted. Government authorities said even when in hospital, the chief minister is very much in command.
"Doctors are saying she should take rest, but you can see our Amma is still doing her duty. Even when she is in the hospital, the government is running. Everything is as per routine," AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi said.