JOIN USThe crowd surged as time progressed, the atmosphere outside Kauvery Hospital was emotional, where DMK chief M Karunanidhi is battling for his life.
With messages on WhatsApp and social media sites indicating that Karunanidhi's health has witnessed a decline, DMK cadre began thronging the hospital since Monday morning.
“Come and guide us, yet again Thalaiva” and “None can take you from us” rented the air in the Luz Church Road, where the hospital is located, even as a steady stream of visitors – MLAs, MPs and political leaders – continued to throng the hospital to inquire about Karunanidhi's health.
“I have been visiting Kauvery Hospital every day ever since Karunanidhi was admitted to the hospital on July 28. I want to see my Thalaivar go back home and continue to work for the party. None can take him away from lakhs of cadre,” Annapurna, a cadre from Chennai, said outside the hospital.
Speculation about Karunanidhi's health got credence after TNCC chief Su Thirunavukarasar visited the hospital in the evening and told reporters that the health of the DMK chief suffered a setback on Monday morning, but doctors were attending to him round the clock.
By 6 pm, almost all members of the DMK's first family – M K Azhagiri, M K Stalin, Kanimozhi – and Karunanidhi's long-time friend and DMK general secretary K Anbhazhagan were at the hospital. Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal was also at the hospital – she visited the premises for the first time after the DMK chief was admitted to the hospital.
#kauveryhospital says there has been decline in the medical condition of #Karunanidhi and maintaining his vital organs function continues to remain a challenge. #KarunanidhiHealth #DMK | @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/kraXq3Ztz9
— Sivapriyan E.T.B. (@sivaetb) August 6, 2018
After the medical bulletin released at around 6.30 PM painted a grim picture, the flow of cadre at the hospital increased. “I came to the hospital because I could not sit at home. Our Thalaivar has been working for the downtrodden for the past few decades and I am sure he will continue to work for the poor once he recovers,” Arivalagan, another cadre, said.
As the crowd surged, security was strengthened outside the hospital and the road leading to the premises was closed for traffic.