The DMK-led Opposition in Tamil Nadu, which was hoping for a win by fluke in the elections to be held on November 19 from three Assembly constituencies, were in for a shock as J Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister who is also the AIADMK general secretary, issuing a signed statement late Sunday evening stating that she has recovered fully from her illness for which she has been hospitalised since September 22.
The AIADMK cadre, which wore a dejected and dispirited look all these days, turned joyous following the statement by Jayalalithaa asking them to work unitedly for the victory of the party candidates from the three constituencies in Tamil Nadu and the Nellithope constituency in neighbouring Puducherry. Jayalalithaa told the cadre that she was not in a position to campaign or meet them in person. “But my mind and heart is always with you,” Jayalalithaa said in the statement.
“This is a big morale booster for us , Amma’s soldiers. The campaign is in full steam and we are out to sweep the election,” CR Saraswathi, AIADMK spokesperson, who was busy campaigning at Thanjavur told The Pioneer over telephone.
The apprehension that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa may not be available for campaign in this election had dampened the AIADMK camp. Monday morning saw enthused and fully charged AIADMK cadre in all the three assembly constituencies upping the ante to register victories in all the constituencies in Tamil Nadu and the Nellithope constituency in Puducherry as their mark of respect and devotion to the AIADMK supremo.
Dr Pratap C Reddy, chairman, Apollo Hospitals, where Jayalalithaa has been undergoing treatment repeated on Saturday that the Chief Minister has fully recovered. “Regarding discharge from the hospital, it is for Chief Minister herself to take a decision. Whenever she feels she is comfortable, we are ready to discharge her,” Dr Reddy had told on Saturday.