Chennai: Tamil Nadu Finance minister O Panneerselvam, who was handed all eight portfolios handled by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa yesterday, spent the day at the hospital where she has been admitted for three weeks.
A trusted loyalist, Mr Panneerselvam, who will handle the home, police, IAS, IPS And IFS portfolios, did not chair any cabinet meet. Instead, he met VVIPs -- including BJP president Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley -- who came to Chennai's Apollo Hospital to inquire about the Chief Minister's health.
Twice in past, O Panneerselvam, had been a stand-in for Ms Jayalalithaa, when she stepped down following her conviction.
A statement from Raj Bhavan on Tuesday had said the Governor shifted the portfolios on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Opposition has questioned how the Chief Minister, who has been in hospital for the 21st day, made the request.
DMK chief Karunanidhi in a statement said, "Question arises if Jayalalithaa had issued a signed advice when no opportunity is given to leaders to meet Jayalalithaa in hospital".
Tacitly referring to people close to Ms Jayalalithaa, PMK chief Dr Ramadoss said, "The Governor should not let unrelated people control government machinery.
Jayalalithaa could not have gestured or signed while on respiratory support. Everything should work according to the Constitution."
The AIADMK indicates Jayalalithaa gave oral consent. Party spokesperson CR Saraswathi said, "She's not unconscious. Everybody can't go inside due to infection. Only doctors go and (the message) was conveyed to her. In AIADMK only with CM's knowledge only everything will happen".
The doctors say Ms Jayalalithaa is on respiratory support, on drugs to de-congest lungs and is being closely monitored by specialists from AIIMS and London. The medical bulletins, however, have been silent on whether she is conscious or not.
A trusted loyalist, Mr Panneerselvam, who will handle the home, police, IAS, IPS And IFS portfolios, did not chair any cabinet meet. Instead, he met VVIPs -- including BJP president Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley -- who came to Chennai's Apollo Hospital to inquire about the Chief Minister's health.
Twice in past, O Panneerselvam, had been a stand-in for Ms Jayalalithaa, when she stepped down following her conviction.
DMK chief Karunanidhi in a statement said, "Question arises if Jayalalithaa had issued a signed advice when no opportunity is given to leaders to meet Jayalalithaa in hospital".
Advertisement
Jayalalithaa could not have gestured or signed while on respiratory support. Everything should work according to the Constitution."
Advertisement
The doctors say Ms Jayalalithaa is on respiratory support, on drugs to de-congest lungs and is being closely monitored by specialists from AIIMS and London. The medical bulletins, however, have been silent on whether she is conscious or not.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Could Lead To Its Disintegration": Curator's Major Warning On India vs Bangladesh 1st Test Pitch Watch: MS Dhoni Spotted At NFL Game In Michigan During Vacation With Friends CSK Decide On Bold MS Dhoni Call If BCCI Only Allows Two Retentions: Report 8 Dead, 2,750 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel Video: Leopard Spotted Crossing Road In Bengaluru's Electronic City IndiGo Flight Tailstrike Leaves Huge Dent During Take-Off From Delhi Airport "Wear Proper Undergarments": Delta Airlines' New Memo For Flight Attendants Heavy Rain In Delhi, Nearby Areas Causes Waterlogging, Traffic Jams Instagram Rolls Out "Teen Accounts" With Parental Control For Underage Users Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.