The state of Tamil Nadu is agogue with the news of its Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s health with rumours spreading that she is suffering from a long-illness and may undergo an operation for kidney transplant. The leader of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) was sworn in as Chief Minister last month after a court had given her lease of life from a lower court’s sentence in unaccounted assets case. Reports in fact suggested that she may not return to take power due to her ill-health but she did take charge of the office to disprove the rumours. However, with her absence in the secretariat, rumours are fast spreading in Chennai that her illness has been known for long and reaching a crucial stage. She went to the Secretariat on July 4 last and has been reportedly managing from home since then. She missed the Iftar party of AIADMK and instead had sent a message saying, “I am unable to come to the Iftar party due to a sudden illness though it is my wish to participate in it as usual.”. While her opponent DMK chief Karunanidhi and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president EVKS Elangovan raised queries over her health, Elangovan sought a medical bulletin constantly to update her health status. “There may be political differences, but Jayalalithaa is the Chief Minister for all the people, hence everyone has a right to know about her health status,” Elangovan said and added, “I appeal with concern, a medical bulletin on her health status should be released.” Even Karunanidhi wanted the Tamil Nadu government to give details related to Jayalalithaa’s illness. Some Tamil Nadu High Court lawyers close to the party circles confirmed that her illness is grave and she may not be back in her office soon, however, suggesting that there will be no disruption to the functioning of the government as senior bureaucrats have always managed the affairs for her both in the past and even now.
