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Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (DMK) ailing chief M Karunanidhi was admitted to a hospital in Chennai past midnight Friday after his health deteriorated. The 94-year-old politician was shifted Kauvery Hospital after his blood pressure dipped.
A statement issued by the hospital said that Karunanidhi's condition is now stable and he is being "treated and monitored by a panel of expert doctors." Several senior DMK leaders, including working president M K Stalin and his estranged elder brother M K Alagiri were at the hospital. Other frontline leaders such as Duraimurugan, Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and former Union minister A Raja were also there. DMK MP Kanimozhi, who met her father at the hospital, told reporters that Karunanidhi was doing fine and his blood pressure has stabilised.
Earlier on Friday evening, Karunanidhi's son Stalin issued a statement saying his father's condition was improving. However, the DMK patriarch's condition suddenly deteriorated late in the night and it was decided to take him to hospital. A huge crowd had gathered outside the DMK chief's house in Gopalapuram where he had been undergoing treatment for the past few days. He has been suffering from fever due to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).
Party cadres had poured in near the hospital complex after receiving the news about Karunanidhi being admitted there. They were chanting "long live Thalaivar" (leader). Some of them were holding Karunanidhi's photos as they waited outside the hospital.
Hours before Karunanidhi was moved to the hospital, Stalin had said the former Tamil Nadu chief minister's health was improving. On Wednesday, he had assured people that there was nothing to worry about his father's health. Security was tightened at the former Tamil Nadu chief minister's residence as DMK cadres kept pouring in there as well.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Saturday said the government is ready to render medical assistance to the ailing DMK President M. Karunanidhi.
Speaking to reporters the Chief Minister said the state government is ready to provide medical assistance to the five-time former Chief Minister and now a legislator if requested by his family.
For the past two years, the DMK president has not been making any public appearance owing to his ill health, but he still holds the top post in the Dravidian party. Karunanidhi has not been keeping well since October 2016. A few days ago, he underwent a procedure to change his tracheostomy tube to help him in breathing.
Karunanidhi, who is addressed as 'Kalaignar' (artiste) by his supporters, followers and some politicians, entered his 50th year as party chief on Friday July 27.
A stream of political leaders, including PM Modi, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and others wished Karunanidhi a speedy recovery. President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi, Congress president spoke to Stalin and Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi to enquire about the veteran Tamil Nadu politician's health and offered all help.
(With inputs from agencies)
