Local television reports say that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, one of India’s most powerful politicians, has died in a Chennai hospital.
Jayalalithaa’s health remained critical throughout today as doctors struggled to help her recover from a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening. The chief minister had been put on life support systems.
A statement from Apollo Hospitals had said yesterday that the CM suffered a cardiac arrest and medical specialists from UK and Delhi were being consulted to ensure the best possible care in the treatment was taken.
Top experts cardiologists, pulmonologist and critical care specialists were attending to Jayalalithaa.
Just hours before that, AIAADMK statement had said that the CM was feeling well and would be discharged soon.
In the wake of the announcement on Sunday, the police and other security forces had been deployed across cities and other areas.
Crowds in large numbers had gathered at the Apollo Hospitals in order to be near where their leader was being treated from September 22.
Apollo latest press release. Honorable Chief Minister Puratchithalaivi Amma continues to be on life support at Apollo Hospitals. pic.twitter.com/H46mdEI7Bk
— Selvi J Jayalalithaa (@DrJJayalalitha) December 5, 2016