Click here for the latest updates from August 7, 2018.
DMK president M. Karunanidhi’s health suffered a setback on Monday and doctors treating him at the Kauvery Hospital in Chennai set a 24-hour timeframe to determine the prognosis.
A large number of DMK cadres and supporters gathered outside the hospital soon after it issued a medical bulletin at 6.30 p.m. on Monday announcing that there was a decline in his medical condition.
“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 of Kauvery Hospital said in the bulletin.
Earlier, his wife Dayalu Ammal, suffering from memory loss and confined to her Gopalapuram house, visited the hospital for the first time since Mr. Karunanidhi was admitted.
Mr. Karunanidhi was admitted to the hospital following a drop in his blood pressure in the early hours of July 28. Since then the five-time Chief Minister's medical status has gone through ups and downs. After a setback on July 29, he continues to be hospitalised for an extended period due to age-related ailments, and is under "active medical support".
A spate of visitors have seen the 94-year-old leader during the past few days, including the President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Actor-turned-politicians Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth and actors Vijay and Ajith, also visited the hospital.
Here are the live updates from Monday, August 6:
DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and DMK leader Ponmudi arrive at Kauvery Hospital.
DMK working president M.K. Stalin and DMK leaders A. Raja, E.V. Velu, K.N. Nehru, I. Periaswamy and other MLAs leave the Kauvery Hospital. Rajya Sabha MP and DMK leader Kanimozhi also leaves the hospital.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari accompanied by TN BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan arrive at Kauvery Hospital to visit Mr. Karunanidhi.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari meets DMK working president M.K Stalin and DMK leader Kanimozhi at Kauvery Hospital.
DMK General Secretary and a close friend of Mr. Karunanidhi, K. Anbazhagan, reaches the hospital. Television channels show footage of him reaching the hospital via the rear gate.
At 6:30 pm, Kauvery Hospital releases a statement saying "there has been a decline" in Mr. Karunanidhi's health. The statement further says, "his response to the medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis."
The bulletin reads:
"There has been decline in the medical condition of the DMK president and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age related ailments."
The bulletin further stated "He is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support. His response to the medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine the progress."
Former Ministers Ponmudi and Durai Murugan arrive at the hospital.
Police deployed in more numbersnear Kauvery Hospital in Chennai on Monday.
Police have increased the security outside Kauvery Hospital as more people start coming.
Mr. Karunanidhi's family members, including sons M.K. Stalin,M.K. Alagiri, M.K. Tamilarasu and daughter Kanimozhi reach Kauvery Hospital. Other key party leaders such as A. Raja and K.N. Nehru also reach the hospital, reports Udhav Naig .
Emotional scenes outside the hospital
As reports suggest a setback to Mr. Karunanidhi's health, DMK cadres return to the hospital premises and shout slogans, exhorting him to return to good health.
'Under intensive care'
Earlier today, Mr. Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal visits the hospital for the first time since his admission. A short while later, TNCC president Thirunavukkarasar speaks to the media regarding the DMK leader's health.
TNCC president Thirunavukkarasar issues a statement on DMK leader Karunanidhi's health
"I enquired about DMK president Karunanidhi's health with his family members today. There has been a small setback in his health condition and it is being treated as of now," he said. "For the last one week, there has been a few setbacks and improvements in his health condition. This morning, there was a setback again, and he is under intensive care. Let's all pray that he gets well soon," he added.
At the 50th year of being at the helm of DMK
DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi crossed a milestone in the country’s political history on July 27 when he became the first leader to enter the 50th year as president of the party.
The former Chief Minister was elected party president on July 27, 1969. Five months earlier, on February 10, 1969, he was elected the legislature party leader of the DMK and became the Chief Minister of the State following the death of party founder C.N. Annadurai.
