Jayalalithaa Recovering Well, Says Tamil Nadu Governor Who Visited Hospital

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who has been in hospital for over a week, was visited by Governor Vidyasagar Rao this evening. Mr Rao did not meet her but was briefed on her condition by top doctors.

A statement from his office said, "The Governor was happy to note that the chief minister is recovering well and appreciated the doctors for providing the best medical care and treatment."

A specialist from the UK has been flown in to attend to her, said her party, the AIADMK, rejecting calls by opposition leader M Karunanidhi for a photograph to be released of the 68-year-old to rein in speculation about her condition.

"She is recovering well. We hope she is discharged soon. It is not necessary to release pictures of Jayalalithaa. We are answerable only to people, not the opposition," a party spokesperson said today.

The statement came more than 40 hours after the last update on her health which was shared on Thursday night when Apollo Hospital said she was "responding well" to treatment but had been advised to stay in hospital for a few more days.

Her party had said earlier this week that she was likely to return home yesterday.

The specialist from UK, Dr Richard John Beale, is an expert in intensive care.

Throughout her hospitalisation, the AIADMK has shot down reports that the Chief Minister, a former movie star and one of the most popular and powerful politicians in the country, is seriously unwell.

It has said she has been treated for fever and dehydration. Amid escalating speculation about her health, the party has filed four police cases against people who misreported her condition on social media.

Opposition leaders like the PMK's Dr S Ramadoss have also questioned the lack of information about the Chief Minister's health, pointing out that it has given rise to worry and speculation.