Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa was admitted to a hospital in September. (File)
Highlights
- 9 RAF are ready to be airlifted to Tamil Nadu, if needed
- Top union ministers are in touch with officials on the situation
- Leaders from across India have been wishing for Jayalalithaa's recovery
After Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, arrangements have been made to airlift anti-riot police to Tamil Nadu if needed, said Press Trust of India.
The news agency said that nine units of the Rapid Action Force with about 100 members each would be airlifted by central paramilitary forces if needed.
Jayalalithaa, 68, was hospitalised in September and was a few weeks ago declared in stable condition by the doctors who looked after her at Apollo Hospital in Chennai. Earlier on Sunday, her party said she would soon decide when to return home.
Jayalalithaa, who won a huge re-election in May this year, commands immense loyalty across her home state. For much of her hospital stay, supporters held a vigil outside, arriving from all over the state to pray for her. This evening, they returned, desperate for news of their "Amma".
All Tamil Nadu's ministers, including Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, who has been officiating in Jayalalithaa's place in cabinet meetings and is looking after the ministries she personally handled, are at the hospital.
Top union ministers including Rajnath Singh and JP Nadda are in touch with officials in Chennai for regular updates on the Chief Minister. Home Minister Rajnath Singh talked to Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao who has rushed back to Chennai from Mumbai where he was to attend a Navy function.
President Pranab Mukherjee has wished Ms Jayalalithaa a speedy recovery. "Distressed to hear about CM Jayalalithaa suffering a cardiac arrest, my prayers for her speedy recovery," President Mukherjee tweeted.