Jayalalithaa moved from ICU to special ward

As news spread regarding the shifting of the AIADMK supremo, party cadre, who had been anxiously waiting for their leader to recover and return home for more than a month now, broke into celebrations. 

Speaking to this paper, AIADMK spokesperson C R Saraswathi said that the cadre were joyous and jubilant. “We are happy at the development and are waiting for our leader to return home and resume her normal activities,” she said. 

On Friday, Apollo Hospitals Chairman Pratap C Reddy had stated that the CM’s mental functions were absolutely normal and that she could leave for home as and when she wanted to. Pointing out that Jayalalithaa was ‘living beautifully’ without ventilator support and that it was provided periodically only to ensure that her lungs did not collapse, Mr. Reddy said that the CM was eating and sleeping normally. 

The CM was rushed to the hospital after she complained of fever and dehydration and has been in the ICU since then. Besides a team from the Apollo Hospitals, London based specialist and intensivist Dr. Richard Beale was flown in from London to oversee the line of treatment provided to the 68-yearold leader. A team from AIIMS, New Delhi were also brought in to aid in the treatment. 

In her first communique, since being hospitalised, earlier this week, the CM, in a signed release, had appealed to voters in Aravakurichi, Tiruparakundram and Thanjavur, where polls and by-polls were held on Saturday, to ensure the victory of party candidates.