M Karunanidhi was admitted to hospital after he developed urinary tract infection. (File)
DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, who has been undergoing treatment at Chennai's Kauvery hospital for over a week, is on continuous monitoring. The hospital, in a statement, said maintaining his vital organ functions remains a challenge in view of his age-related ailments."His response to the medical intervention over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis," the statement read.
According to sources from both the Hospital and from his party, Mr Karunanidhi contracted jaundice and is facing difficulty breathing, which is leading to a "fluctuation in his condition".
The 94-year-old was admitted to Chennai's Kauvery hospital on July 28 after he contracted urinary tract infection. The doctors, after repeated health scares, advised M Karunanidhi to continue his stay in the hospital, citing "age related overall decline in his general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters".
Here are the highlights on the health of DMK President M Karunanidhi.
Stalin and several legislators, including Duraimurugan left the hospital premises around 10.10 PM.
Police increased the deployment of its personnel as the whole of Eldams Road junction at the upscale Alwarpet area in Chennai teemed with DMK cadres.
DMK supporters continue to gather in huge numbers after the hospital released a statement on Karunanidhi's health. Cadres chanted 'Ezhunthu Va Thalaiva' (Get up leader, come) slogan and some of them recited his popular Tamil verses outside the hospital.
MK Stalin and Kanimozhi leave Kauvery Hospital hours after statement from hospital amid heavy security
Mr Karunanidhi was recovering from illness when he contracted the infection last month. He had to be admitted in hospital when his fever spiked.
A five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr Karunanidhi has lately been living a secluded life. For more than a year, he has not made any public appearance except occasional visits to his party office. On July 18, he was admitted in hospital for a change of tracheostomy tube.
Updates from Kauvery Hospital:
- Hundreds of supporters continue to gather outside the hospital after the hospital's health bulletin stating a "decline" in his health condition
- Chennai traffic police made slight diversions to the areas close to the hospital in view of the crowd
- Supporters pray and chant "Wake up Kalaignar", as they continue to gather in huge numbers
- Heavy security has been deployed outside the hospital
- Families of his sons and daughter are all present at the hospital
- Duraimurugan, A Raja among other top DMK leaders present at the hospital
- MLAs from other districts are also expected to reach Chennai soon
Union Minister Nitin Garkari visits Kauvery Hospital to enquire about M Karunanidhi's health.
M Karunanidhi's second wife Dayalu Ammal visited him in the hospital on Monday for the first time since he was hospitalised on July 28.
Among the other leaders who have visited M Karunanidhi at the hospital are Rahul Gandhi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and actor-politician Rajinikanth.
President Ram Nath Kovind visited M Karunanidhi in the hospital on Sunday and wished him a "quick recovery". Read
here.
President Ram Nath Kovind visited M Karunanidhi in the hospital on Sunday and wished him a "quick recovery". Read
here.
Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President S. Thirunavukkarasar said M Karunanidhi's health was stable and improving after a setback, news agency ANI reported.
The 94-year-old DMK leader, who has been the chief minister of Tamil Nadu five times, was admitted to Kauvery Hospital on July 28 after a dip in his blood pressure.