No need for temporary CM, Jayalalithaa is conscious and recovering: AIADMK

There is no need for a temporary chief minister in Tamil Nadu as Jayalalithaa is conscious and recovering, a ruling AIADMK spokesperson said on Friday.

There is no need for a temporary chief minister for Tamil Nadu as Jayalalithaa is conscious and recovering, a ruling AIADMK spokesperson said on Friday.

AIADMK women wing members eat food off the floor (a superstitious belief in south India) for a speedy recovery of party supremo and chief minister Jayalalithaa. (V Srinivasulu / HT Photo)

“There is no legal necessity for a temporary CM,” AIADMK spokesperson Avadi Kumar, told IANS. Kumar said state finance minister O Panneerselvam had warmed her seat in the past only due to legal hurdles.

Paneerselvam was made chief minister twice in the past, once in 2001 and again in 2014, for legal reasons.

Kumar said AIADMK founder, M G Ramachandran, was unwell and hospitalised in the US in 1984 but managed to win the election. He was sworn in as chief minister when he came back to Chennai.

Late DMK leader Murasoli Maran was bed-ridden for a long time while he was in office as Union minister without portfolio till the time of his death.

The 68-year-old politician was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals on September 22 for fever and dehydration.

On Thursday, she was advised a longer stay by experts. “The present treatment regimen includes continued respiratory support, neubilisation, drugs to decongest the lungs, antibiotics, nutrition, general nursing care and supportive therapy,” Apollo Hospitals said.

The hospital said Jayalalithaa is making slow progress but did not say for how long she may have to stay in the hospital.