Karunanidhi admitted to ICU following blood-pressure drop, is stable now
During wee hours of Saturday, DMK chief Karunanidhi was shifted from his Gopalpuram residence to Chennai's Kauvery hospital for treatment. The towering leader was brought to the hospital at around 1:30 AM, after a drop in blood pressure. The hospital has confirmed that his blood pressure is stable now, but he will be kept in ICU for experts to monitor his health.
At residence, Karunanidhi was being treated for urinary tract infection
Karunanidhi, who served as Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister five times, was being treated for urinary tract infection at his residence. Speaking about his health, the doctors recently said that there has been a 'slight decline'. "He's being treated with intravenous antibiotics and fluids and is being monitored round the clock," they said. On Friday, Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin said his father's health was improving.
The DMK patriarch restricted public appearances lately
After the death of DMK founder CN Annadurai, Karunanidhi took charge of the party in 1969. The same year he was elected as the CM. He was elected as MLA 13 times and is currently the sitting MLA from Tiruvarur. Notably, on Friday, Karunanidhi completed 50 years as DMK's president. However, due to ailing health, Karunanidhi wasn't seen in public a lot, recently.
Meanwhile, top Tamil leaders visited Karunanidhi, spoke with Stalin
Leaders like AIADMK ministers Panneerselvam, SP Velumani, P Thangamani and D Jayakumar paid visit to the 94-year-old leader at his residence. They also held discussions with DMK's working president Stalin and party leaders Duraimurugan and TR Baalu. Meanwhile, Stalin wrote on Twitter that his father was Tamil Naud's 'unshakeable force', who converted challenges into achievements.
Outside Kauvery Hospital, DMK cadres pray for Karunanidhi's health
Hundreds of supporters of DMK and followers of Karunanidhi spent the night outside the hospital in Chennai. Photographs from the hospital showed people wailing on learning about his health and praying for speedy recovery. DMK cadres shouted 'Long Live Karunanidhi' and security outside the hospital beefed up. Apart from Stalin, Karunanidhi's kids MK Alagizhi, MK Kanimozhi, were present at the hospital last night.