The health condition of DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, 95, who is undergoing treatment in a corporate hospital in Chennai since July 28, deteriorated on Monday.
A medical release issued by Kauvery Hospital at 6.30 pm on Monday said the next 24 hours would be crucial for the nonagenarian leader of the Dravidian movement.
“There has been decline in the medical condition of Karunanidhi. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age-related ailments.
“He is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support. His response to the medical intervention over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis,” Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, executive director, Kauvery Hospital, said in the release.
Since Monday morning, there were reports going around that the condition of Karunanidhi has taken a beating. Hundreds of DMK activists rushed to the hospital making it difficult for police to control the traffic along the main thoroughfare passing along the hospital.
Karunanidhi’s wives Dayalu and Rajathi were escorted to the hospital by other members of the family. This was the first time Dayalu visited her husband since his hospitalisation on July 28.
Karunanidhi’s three sons — MK Alagiri, MK Stalin and MK Tamil Arasu — and daughters — Selvi and Kanimozhi — and his grandchildren reached the hospital in the morning itself.
Though Alagiri told journalists waiting outside the hospital that his father is stable, there is a sense of despondence in the Madurai strongman’s words. Hundreds of women activists of the party were standing outside the hospital, most of them weeping even as some among them recited slogans “Ezhundhu Vaa, Thalaivar, Ezhundhu Vaa” (Tamil for arise and come, oh dear leader) in high pitch.
Karunanidhi continues to be the most respected and adored leader in the State by his party activists.
The five-time CM of Tamil Nadu has been out of active public life since October 2016 as a fallout of his advanced age. July marked the 49th year of his election as the president of the DMK. It was in 1969 that he was elected as the party chief following the demise of CN Annadurai, the founder of the DMK.
Since then Karunanidhi has been the undisputed leader of the DMK. The party cadre were waiting for him to complete 50 years as party president which would make him the longest serving leader of a political outfit anywhere in the world.
At the time of going to Press, all top leader of the DMK and other major political parties have assembled in the hospital praying for the health of Karunanidhi.
In what could be an interesting development, thousands of party activists across the State are offering special poojas and homams in most of the major temples for the health of Karunanidhi, a known rationalist and atheist.