Tamil Nadu Government Under Pressure To Share Regular Info On Jayalalithaa

The state government has been asked by the Madras High Court to reply tomorrow to a petition by social activist Traffic Ramaswamy.

Amid speculation that Jayalalithaa, 68, is seriously unwell and her party is trying to keep it a secret, Mr Ramaswamy has asked for a statement on her health and the appointment of an interim chief minister.

"What's happening there? The public who elected her have a right to know... She's a woman. Is she safe? Nobody is allowed there," Mr Ramaswamy told NDTV.

On Monday, the hospital bulletin, for the first time, referred to "continuation of respiratory support" to the Chief Minister.

Jayalalithaa was hospitalized on September 22 with fever and dehydration. Days later, the government said she had dictated her statement on the Cauvery river dispute and briefed bureaucrats and ministers.

The ruling AIADMK has vehemently denied reports that Jayalalithaa is critically ill and also filed police complaints against four persons for "spreading rumours" on social media.

Today, when a group of AIADMK lawmakers marched in Delhi to protest the centre's stand on the Cauvery river dispute, party leader M Thambidurai said: "Jayalalithaa told us to come to Delhi and protest."

The party has been stubbornly dismissive of questions about who is in charge of the state.

Opposition leaders like the DMK's M Karunanidhi have urged the Chief Minister's party to release a photograph to prove she is not critical, but the AIADMK has rejected the demand.

The Governor visited the hospital on Friday but did not meet her. 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."