Waiting for Amma

It would seem that even while on a ventilator, Jayalalithaa can give directions to her confidants. Or were the directions to celebrate the party’s founder’s day given in advance? The secrecy around the chief minister’s illness underscores Jayalalithaa’s grip, despite serious illness. Bhavani Kuchi reports from Chennai.

- Bhavani Kuchi

THERE was something surreal about the announcement in Chennai that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa (who is on ventilator and not conscious), had “consented” to the celebration of the AIADMK’s 44 th   anniversary with the ritual garlanding of founder MG Ramachandran’s statue.

Ironically, the same chief minister had absolutely nothing to say when the Cauvery fires were burning,  already under intensive care and oblivious to what was going on around her.

Adding to the farce was a decision taken on “her” advice, to transfer all her charges to Man Friday  Panneerselvam.  But he’s not been designated acting CM, so technically the state is minus its chief executive.

So what’s wrong with Amma?  Precise details are lacking but she is reported to have collapsed at home shortly after doing some paperwork and speaking to someone on the phone. She was rushed to Apollo in central Chennai from where she has been running the state.

Doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences flown in to attend on her included G C Khilnani, cardiologist Nitish Naik and anaesthetist Anjan Trikha. 

Their treatment plan called for decongestion of lungs, nebulisation for breathing and administration of antibiotics, supportive therapy and general nursing care. So while Amma has a number of problems including diabetes, respiratory failure is evident this time round.  A medical bulletin confirmed this: “The respiratory system is closely watched and adjusted.” A subsequent release said: “Tracheotomy was done on the CM”, meaning oxygen was being administered through an incision in her throat.  Was it because giving oxygen through the mouth for a long period was leading to ulceration at the back of the tongue?