'It Was A Witnessed Cardiac Arrest,' Say Jayalalithaa's Doctors

Chennai: J Jayalalithaa "was speaking" right until she suffered a massive cardiac arrest in December, doctors who treated her and coordinated her treatment at Chennai's hospital said today as they disclosed details of the former Chief Minister's death to "dispel rumours". "No question of poisoning, nothing mysterious about the death... It was a witnessed cardiac arrest,"  said Dr Richard Beale, a critical care specialist from London.

Jayalalithaa died on December 5 after nearly three months in hospital. Two months on, her closest companion VK Sasikala, a political novice, is set to be sworn in as Chief Minister.

The 68-year-old had communicated in sign language and was "responding and interactive" for several days before her vitals crashed, Dr Beale said,  sharing an exchange - "When I said I'm in charge, she (Jayalalithaa) said, 'no, I am in charge'."

Her collapse at the end was completely unexpected, said the doctors, adding that severe infection damaged her organs.

Throughout her 75-day hospital stay, there was speculation about Jayalalithaa's health, with many wondering whether the gravity of her true condition was largely hidden from the public to keep up appearances that she was firmly in charge. Only a very close group of people was allowed access to her, including Ms Sasikala.

"Nothing strange happened. There was no conspiracy. She was treated. She recovered somewhat, she had a tracheostomy, improved further, looked as if she would recover fully, but unfortunately she had a sudden cardiac arrest," Dr Beale said.

The doctors said when Governor C Vidyasagar Rao visited the Chief Minister one time, he saw her through a glass screen and she "raised her thumb" at him.

The politician was conscious also when she heard and allowed to take her thumb print on an election document, they said.

Jayalalithaa's thumb imprint on that document only served to fuel more speculation that she was not conscious. Skeptics, including the opposition DMK, took to demanding proof that the Chief Minister fine.

Asked about his last conversation with Jayalalithaa, Dr Beale said, "We talked about what she liked on TV, what food she liked, rehabilitation, I talked about my children...She couldn't speak but she could mouth the words. She could signal what she meant.