Earlier, there was emotion and high drama outside the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was undergoing treatment. Braving rain, hundreds of AIADMK cadres converged at the hospital on Sunday evening to learn about the chief minister’s condition, as news emerged that she had suffered a cardiac arrest late afternoon.
Party functionaries from far-flung places flocked to the hospital and sought divine intervention. “I came from Tirupur on Sunday, I will stay here until my Amma comes out well from the hospital,” AIADMK cadre Durairajan said.
AIADMK supporter and comedian “Gundu” Kalyanam, who encouraged his party workers not to give up hope, said divine power will make Jayalalithaa resume her official work. Police deployed near the hospital had a tough time regulating the crowd as numerous people gathered on the road, leading to the hospital. Members of AIADMK women’s wing continuously chanted “long live Amma” by holding placards near the hospital premises.
As rumours of her worsening health began spreading, the restless cadres tried entering the hospital and was pushed back by the police. Police also lathi-charged the crowd, which damaged vehicles of the Apollo staff parked near the hospital. However, no one was arrested.
Published 05 December 2016, 20:52 IST