Jayalalithaa passes away at 68, Apollo Hospitals confirms death
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa passed away late on Monday evening at Apollo Hospitals after suffering a cardiac arrest on Sunday. She breathed her last at 11.30 pm and it was confirmed by the party and the hospital management. Jayalalithaa’s body will be taken to her residence, Poes Garden tonight. Former interim chief minister and senior AIADMK MLA O Panneerselvam chaired a party meeting at its headquarters in Royapettah and conveyed the news to its 134 MLAs.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalithaa’s condition as Apollo Hospitals denied reports of her death. Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, who visited the hospital to enquire about her health, briefed the prime minister. He, however, did not speak to the media. In the evening, Apollo Hospitals released a statement saying that a “large team” of doctors from AIIMS and Apollo are continuing to provide Jayalithaa with “life saving measures”. They rubbished media reports, saying they were “totally baseless and false”. At the AIADMK headquarters in Royapettah, despite no official confirmation of her death, the party’s flag was seen flying at half-mast but was hoisted once again. Earlier today, a scuffle broke out between AIADMK workers and police outside the Apollo Hospital in Chennai after the state media flashed the news of her “death”. A huge police contingent descended in the capital city to prevent any untoward incident.
On Sunday, Tamil Nadu was on alert after Jayalalithaa, under treatment since September 22, suffered a cardiac arrest Sunday evening, according to a bulletin issued by the hospital. “She is being treated and monitored by a team of experts including cardiologists, pulmonologists and critical care specialists,” the bulletin stated.
Chennai: J Jayalalithaa, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu state, has died in a Chennai hospital, nearly three months after she was admitted there. She was 68. Jayalalitha breathed her last at 11.30pm, hospital said in a statement.
Apollo Hospitals said in a statement: "It is with indescribable grief, we announce the sad demise of our esteemed Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma at 11.30 p.m. today (Sunday)."
It is learnt Jayalalithaa's body will be taken to her residence at Poes Garden first.
Police were deployed in large numbers outside Apollo Hospitals and also at Poes Garden.
The 68-year-old leader suffered the cardiac arrest hours after AIADMK said that Jayalalithaa will return home “soon” as an AIIMS expert team confirmed she has completely recovered after over two months of hospitalisation.
Jayalalitha was hospitalised on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. The hospital, which had been issuing bulletins on her health status, had later said she was being treated for infection with respiratory support, among others.
Modi lauds Jayalalitha's connect with people
"Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalitha. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics," Indian PM Modi tweeted.
"Jayalalitha ji’s connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women & marginalized will always be a source of inspiration. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief. I will always cherish the innumerable occasions when I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalitha ji. May her soul rest in peace," he added.
Political leaders condole Jayalalitha's death
Leaders of political parties on Tuesday condoled the death of Tamil Nadu Chief J. Jayalalitha, who died on Monday night.
"Popular, strong, bold, efficient, people- friendly, charismatic leader, Amma. Always at the heart of people. Big loss.I am shocked,saddened," tweeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"I humbly urge the people of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK to face this big loss with courage and greatness. May she Rest in Peace."
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also condoled her death. "Death of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister very saddening. May she rest in peace. One day state mourning in Bihar."
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also took to Twitter to condole the death of the AIADMK leader.
"Very sad to hear the demise of Amma. A very very popular leader. Aam Aadmi's leader. May her soul rest in peace," the Aam Aadmi Party leader tweeted.
Political leaders condole Jayalalitha's deathLeaders of political parties on Tuesday condoled the death of Tamil Nadu Chief J. Jayalalitha, who died on Monday night.
"Popular, strong, bold, efficient, people- friendly, charismatic leader, Amma. Always at the heart of people. Big loss.I am shocked,saddened," tweeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"I humbly urge the people of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK to face this big loss with courage and greatness. May she Rest in Peace."
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also condoled her death. "Death of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister very saddening. May she rest in peace. One day state mourning in Bihar."
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also took to Twitter to condole the death of the AIADMK leader.
"Very sad to hear the demise of Amma. A very very popular leader. Aam Aadmi's leader. May her soul rest in peace," the Aam Aadmi Party leader tweeted.
Holiday declared in Tamil Nadu
Three-day holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu following the death of Chief Minister Jayalalitha, officials announced.
Earlier story: Hospital denies rumours
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha is still alive, Apollo Hospitals said on Monday, after a TV report about her death sparked scuffles and mass frenzy outside the hospital.
The Apollo hospital hurriedly denied the Sun TV report which claimed the AIADMK leader had passed away. “A large number of doctors from Apollo and AIIMS continue to provide all life saving measures,” said a tweet from Sangita Reddy, Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals.
But before the clarification came, the TV report triggered frenzy both outside the hospital, where thousands had gathered since Jayalalitha suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday, and at the AIADMK headquarters. A group of emotionally charged AIADMK activists tried to barge into the hospital after breaking the police barricades but were pushed back by the police.
Television footage showed crowds praying for the chief minister, who is known simply as "Amma" (mother), many of them in tears. “Amma should survive. I won't mind if my life is taken away, but Amma should live," one supporter cried. Many others simply broke down, unable to check their emotions. There were loud cries of "Amma, Amma!"
At the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai, the party flag was brought down to half-mast. It was restored to its original position once the Apollo statement came. Inside, hundreds of people wept on hearing the Sun TV report. “How can you leave us?” cried one man.
Doctors treating the 68-year-old former film star, who enjoys an almost god-like status in Tamil Nadu, say she is in critical condition and on life support. "The treating doctors are continuing all life saving measures. #GodblessAmma," the hospital tweeted.
Several of Jayalalitha’s supporters resorted to self-harm when she was briefly jailed in 2014 on charges of corruption.
Jayalalitha’s condition 'very critical': hospital
Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalitha continues to be very critical and is on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and life support systems, said Apollo Hospitals in a statement on Monday.
"The chief minister is being treated and closely monitored by a team of experts," said the statement issued by Apollo Hospitals chief operating officer Subbiah Viswanathan. A team of doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences would land in Chennai later this afternoon, doctors said.
Earlier, Jayalalitha's party AIADMK briefly lowered its flag to half-mast at its headquarter, only to be hoisted it again after the hospital's clarification.
No comments:
Post a Comment