Kauvery: M Karunanidhi vitals normal, but he needs longer hospitalisation

CHENNAI: DMK president M Karunanidhi has responded well to medical management and his vital signs have gradually normalised, said a medical bulletin issued by Kauvery Hospital late on Tuesday.

The 94-year-old former CM may, however, require a longer period of hospitalisation due to age-related decline in general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters," the bulletin signed by Dr Aravindan Selvaraj added.

Earlier in the day, Congress president Rahul Gandhi visited Karunanidhi at the hospital.

Rahul Gandhi spent about 20 minutes in the hospital, where he interacted with DMK working president M K Stalin and party Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and doctors to get an update on the ailing Dravidian leader’s health condition.

“I wanted to come and see Karunanidhi, since we have a long relationship with him. I met him. He is a tough man and has the spirit of people of Tamil Nadu with him. He is very stable and Soniaji too has sent her regards to the family,” Rahul told reporters.

A few hours later, the DMK released a photograph of Rahul visiting the ICU to see Karunanidhi in person. In the photo, Stalin is seen talking to Karunanidhi. Soon after its release, the second one of Karunanidhi in hospital, the Tuesday afternoon photo went viral on social media, with DMK partymen and others happily sharing it. The DMK cadres waiting outside the hospital started raising slogans to express their joy.

The actor spoke to the media outside the hospital on Tuesday.


Late on Tuesday evening, actor Rajinikanth visited Kauvery Hospital. “I met Stalin, Kanimozhi and (M K) Alagiri and inquired about Karunanidhi’s health condition. He is the senior most political leader in the country and I wish he lives several more years,” Rajinikanth later told reporters outside the hospital.

A delegation from Malaysia also called on Stalin and other family members. “He fought for Tamil rights and we wanted to wish him,” said Malaysian MP Tan Sri Vigneshwaran. Dato Sri Saravanan, former Malaysian MP said, “We want him to recover and get back to active politics. He is the only known Tamil leader across the world.” Singapore foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan in a message to Stalin, said he was worried about Karunanidhi.