Ministers brief Guv on CM’s health, Cauvery Panel visit

At the meeting, the Governor enquired about the health condition of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and the forthcoming visit of the high-level technical committee on the Cauvery water sharing issue, a release from Raj Bhavan stated. “In view of the forthcoming visit of the high level technical committee on the Cauvery water issue constituted by the Union Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry, Honourable Governor enquired about the arrangements made for the visit and information to be presented to the Committee to protect the welfare of farmers of Tamil Nadu. The Minister for Public Works, Highways, and Minor Ports explained in detail about the arrangements and related matters,” the release said. 

Rama Mohana Rao is said to have briefed the Governor about the administrative affairs that were being carried out on a day-to-day basis and other general matters in the absence of the Chief Minister, undergoing treatment at the Apollo Hospitals in the city. The senior ministers’ visit to the Raj Bhavan triggered intense speculation in political circles on a possible rearrangement of portfolios among the ministers following Chief Minister’s ongoing treatment at the hospital. 

Earlier on Thursday, a release from Apollo Hospitals on the health condition of the Jayalalithaa stated that she was recovering and that the present treatment regimen included continued respiratory support, nebulisation, drugs to decongest the lungs, antibiotics, nutrition, general nursing care and supportive therapy. The release also mentioned the Chief Minister’s known history of diabetes and winter bronchitis in inclement weather. 

London-based consultant Richard John Beale had also examined her on Thursday “The consensus of all the experts is that the line of treatment given to the Chief Minister should be continued, and she will require a longer stay in the hospital,” the release said. Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital on September 22 for fever and dehydration, according to an earlier release from the hospital.

Rahul arrived here by a special flight and reached the hospital around noon. He was accompanied by TNCC (I) president S. Thirunavukkarasar.  After holding discussions with the doctors treating the Chief Minister and senior AIADMK ministers for about an hour, Rahul later told reporters gathered outside the hospital that Jayalalithaa was doing well and that she would be returning home soon. “I haven’t met the Chief Minister but the doctors attending on her informed me that she was doing well. I am here to extend the support of the Congress party to her,” he said. A team of experts from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, (AIIMS), New Delhi and a British doctor Richard Beale have been brought in to assist the doctors treating Jayalalithaa. During the May 2016 Assembly election, the Congress had forged an alliance with opposition DMK to fight against the ruling AIADMK.