Karunanidhi is stable, DMK cadres shout 'Yamraj Go Away'
What's the story
Thousands of DMK cadres refused to leave Chennai's Kauvery Hospital and chanted 'Yamraj Go Away' after the former chief minister M Karunanidhi's health suffered a slight setback.
The DMK patriarch was shifted to hospital from his Gopalpuram residence last week. When the staff didn't give an update on his health, DMK supporters stayed put at the hospital.
His health is now stable, reports said.
Supporters
Cadres slept on roads, tried barging into hospital
Outside the hospital, the visuals were unprecedented. The supporters slept on roads, while some stood there the entire night to get an update about Kalaignar's health.
One supporter said he was waiting for the past three days without food or water, just to hear about Karunanidhi's health.
Some cadres tried barging into the hospital last night, but were lathi-charged by the police.
Twitter Post
Karunanidhi in prayers: Supporters continue to arrive at hospital
DMK workers continue to gather outside Kauvery Hospital in Chennai where DMK Chief M #Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment. pic.twitter.com/Y98hwdh0RZ
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2018
The precaution
Security beefed up, Stalin appeals to cadres to maintain peace
Considering the hysteria, security was beefed up and around 2,000 police personnel are reported to have deployed at the Kauvery Hospital.
Manikandan, A Raja's personal secretary, asked cadres to maintain peace and not believe rumors.
Karunanidhi's son and DMK's working president MK Stalin also asked cadres to maintain peace and not create inconvenience for the public. The son said Karunanidhi was responding to treatment.
The statement
Karunanidhi suffered setback, is normal now: Hospital
The hospital released a late-night statement saying Karunanidhi's health improved after suffering 'a transient setback'.
Notably, visits by Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Chief Minister E Palaniswami cutting his Salem trip short might have fueled the rumors about the 'health scare'.
But the hospital said his vital signs were normalizing. The towering leader has been undergoing treatment for urinary tract infection for many days.
Life history
The man, the legend: Karunanidhi redefined Tamil Nadu politics
Karunanidhi took over DMK as its president in 1969, after the founder CN Annadurai passed away. He served as chief minister five times.
He was elected as MLA 13 times and is currently the sitting MLA from Tiruvarur.
Despite his political life being mired in controversies (corruption, nepotism, etc.), Karunanidhi has a loyal base of supporters, primarily because of his schemes for the poor.