Doctors and AIADMK leaders maintain that Jayalalithaa is recovering well and will soon return home.
Highlights
- Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in hospital for over a week
- Opposition says release photo, regular health updates
- Police case against woman who posted incorrect info about her health
Amid speculation about the health of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa, who has been in hospital for over a week, the police has filed a case against a woman, who they believe is in France, for misreporting the politician's condition on social media. The case accuses the woman of intending to cause riots.
The police action is based on a complaint by the 68-year-old's party, the AIADMK, which has repeatedly said that reports of her ill health are greatly exaggerated and that she will be back at work in a few days.
Ms Jayalalithaa, one of the most popular and powerful politicians in the country, was moved to Apollo Hospital in Chennai last Thursday where, her party said, she was being treated for nothing more serious than fever and dehydration.
Talk of whether her condition may be more serious escalated after the hospital stopped regular updates on the Chief Minister for over 100 hours. However, last night, doctors said she is responding well to treatment and they have advised her to remain in hospital for a few more days.
Her party had said she was likely to return home today.
M Karunanidhi, chief of Tamil Nadu's main opposition party the DMK, has demanded that her government "put an end to rumours" by releasing a photograph of her in hospital.
Other 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.
He also stressed that senior leaders for Ms Jaylaalithaa's party who visited the hospital were unable to see her.
To emphasize that she has complete control over the state's affairs, her party has said that from her hospital bed two days ago, she dictated a speech to be read out at an important meeting on a growing water dispute with neighbouring Karnataka.
Ms Jayalalithaa, a former movie star now serving her fourth term as Chief Minister, commands a devotion among millions of supporters that can turn hysterical and dangerous when they feel she is in trouble. When she was jailed for corruption in 2014, more than 200 people committed suicide; several hundred others shaved their heads, a ritual of mourning. She was acquitted and returned to office nine months later.