Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa was admitted to a hospital last month. (File)
Highlights
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in hospital since September 22
- Opposition DMK demands a stand-in be named by her party
- Ruling AIADMK refuses, starts social media campaign to stress she's fine
After refusing to name a stand-in for J Jayalalithaa, who has been in hospital for nearly three weeks, her party has launched a social media campaign declaring "all is well" with "Amma" (mother), as she is referred to by massive swathes of supporters.
Two people have been arrested in Chennai for misreporting her condition on social media. Nearly 40 cases have been filed against people for "spreading rumours" about the Chief Minister's health, with the police accusing them of intending to cause riots.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was taken to hospital on September 22. Speculation about her health has escalated with her stay being prolonged and VIP visitors, including Rahul Gandhi, being unable to meet her during visits to her hospital.
A source who is privy to her care at Apollo Hospital told NDTV, that her case is "complicated" and "it (her condition) swings back and forth." The source added, "It looks like it will take weeks."
Initial statements said the 68-year-old was being treated for dehydration and fever. More recent updates disclose the former movie star is on respiratory support and being treated for a lung infection. A UK specialist and three experts from Delhi's AIIMS hospital have also joined the team attending to Ms Jayalalithaa.
The AIADMK today urged twitter users to change the profile photo on their accounts to an image that declares "My CM is fine." Spokespersons have repeatedly stressed that the Chief Minister is recovering well and taking important decisions while in hospital.So far, Governor Vidyasagar Rao and the Madras High Court have not insisted that a stand-in be named for Ms Jayalalithaa, a demand made by some opposition leaders including the DMK, which is the main opposition party.
Ms Jayalalithaa, whose AIADMK is the third largest party in the Lok Sabha, has a history of diabetes.