Congress concerned but confident Jaya will overcome challenges

"Jayalalithaa ji is a woman of extraordinary courage and has a vast reservoir of strength. In the past she has gone through extremely difficult circumstances and challenges. We are confident that she will be able to overcome this difficult situation as well," Congress spokesperson Gaurav Gogoi said.

He said Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi have expressed deep concern on the health of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

"They wished CM Jayalalithaa ji a speedy recovery. People across the country are praying for her recovery," he said.

Gogoi said Rahul Gandhi had a few weeks ago himself visited the hospital to enquire about her health.

Jayalalithaa "continues to be very critical," a day after suffering cardiac arrest, and is on various life support systems, Apollo Hospitals said today.

Jayalalithaa "continues to be very critical and is on ECMO and other life support systems", Apollo Hospitals Chief Operating Officer Subbiah Viswanthan said in a statement.

"The Honourable Chief Minister is being treated and closely monitored by a team of experts," he added.

68-year-old Jayalalithaa has been put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a heart assist device, and is under the watch of experts, including cardiologists.