UK doctor treats Jayalalithaa, party says she’s ‘healthy’

The AIADMK asserted on Saturday that its hospitalised party supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa is “healthy”, even as a doctor from the United Kingdom has reportedly been flown in to examine the 68-year-old leader.

“Amma (Ms Jayalalithaa) is healthy. She needs rest as per doctors’ advice and will return in good health,” senior AIADMK leader and former minister P. Valaramathi told reporters.

She said that Ms Jayalalithaa was performing official duties and pointed out that she had even announced the party’s candidates for October’s civic polls while being hospitalised.

“Some jealous people are carrying out a wrong campaign to confuse people by spreading rumours” about Ms Jayalalithaa’s health, she said.

Meanwhile, the Apollo Hospital, where Ms Jayalalithaa has been hospitalised for treatment for fever and dehydration, reportedly flew in UK-based Dr Richard John Beal to examine the chief minister.

Ms Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. She has been advised to stay for a few days at the hospital.

Another senior leader and AIADMK spokesperson, S. Ramachandran, also insisted that Ms Jayalalithaa would “return home soon”. “The chief minister is recovering well. We believe, she will return home soon. Please do not believe in rumours,” he told reporters here.

On DMK chief M. Karunanidhi seeking an explanation over Ms Jayalalithaa’s health, Mr Ramachandran said that he had no right to make such a demand.

“What has to be informed to the people, we are doing so. The doctors are qualified to talk about someone’s illness and they are sharing information,” he added.

Karunanidhi had yesterday demanded that pictures of the Chief Minister be released to quell rumours about her condition.