Chennai: President Ramnath Kovind today landed in Chennai and visited Kauvery Hospital to enquire about the health condition of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
He was received at the airport by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy and his Cabinet colleagues.
Karunanidhi was being treated for fever due to urinary tract infection with intravenous antibiotics and fluids at his home in Chennai a week ago. However, after his blood pressure dipped, he was admitted to Kauvery Hospital on 29 July. His vital signs gradually normalised and doctors attending on him said he is stable. However he will continue to remain hospitalised due to age-related overall decline in his general health, the Hospital had earlier said in a statement.
No sooner was he admitted to hospital, leaders from various political parties, film personalities and people from all walks of lives visited the hospital and enquired about his health condition. They met DMK Working President M K Stalin, who briefed them on the treatment given to his father.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy, former Prime Minister Deva Gowda, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, actor-politicians Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan among others headed to Kauvery Hospital showing their concern to the nonagerian leader.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the hospital a couple of days back and his office in its Twitter feed said, “Kalaignar is a born fighter who has fought many battles. I hope Kalaignar will recover fast from his illness.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday spoke to Stalin over phone and enquired about M Karunanidhi’s health. ‘I spoke with MK Stalin, son of DMK Leader M Karunanidhi. who is currently in hospital,’ the Lankan leader said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, this afternoon, Ramnath Kovind arrived by a special aircraft to Chennai. He drove straight to Kauvery Hospital and was received there by Stalin and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi. He also interacted with doctors attending on Karunanidhi. He was accompanied by Governor Banwarilal Purohit.
Security has been tightened for President’s visit in city. Over 15,000 policemen have been pressed into service. Additional forces were deployed between Chennai airport till the hospital in Alwarpet.