Tamil Nadu leader Jayalalitha suffers heart attack

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest at around 6 pm on Sunday, shortly after the party claimed that her condition had “gradually improved” over the past two weeks.

68-year-old Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital on September 22 with complaints of “fever and dehydration”.

Her latest medical setback comes only days after doctors and senior leaders from her regional party talked about her recovery and imminent return to active political duties.

One of India’s most powerful and popular politicians, J Jayalalitha, has had a heart attack, sparking fresh fears about the gravity of her condition. Right now she is being monitored by the experts and was put on a heart assist device. Following news of her cardiac arrest, wishes for speedy recovery poured in for the Tamil Nadu CM.

“Doctors say Amma will be fine”, said C. R. Saraswathi. “May God bless her”, tweeted Banerjee. “Definitely, she will be ok”, said AIADMK spokesperson C R Saraswathi.

As the news started trickling down regarding the Chief Minister’s health condition, AIADMK cadres began gathering in front of the Apollo Hospital. Scores of them were seen weeping and holding prayers. Police were told be alert in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki and Palakkad districts that border Tamil Nadu. Schools have not been closed and exams will go on as scheduled, officials said. Transport services have also been briefly affected. We are in constant touch with them.

The police have also been deployed at Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border areas like Attibele and Chamarajnagar.

Four specialists from AIIMS will soon be reaching Apollo Hospital, Health Minister J P Nadda said in New Delhi.

Media reports said some Chennai schools would remain closed, while the U.S. consulate in the city said it had suspended services and warned Americans to exercise caution.

The consulate USA citizens requiring emergency services may contact the Consulate at +91-44-2857-4000. Monday morning saw several AIADMK MLAs and party leaders leaving the hospital and declaring that their leader was completely fine. 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. “I am here now and I will always be here when Amma needs our support”.

Critics call Jayaraman, who once had prime ministerial ambitions as well, an authoritarian ruler who has no regard for democratic values.