Principal Opposition party in Tamil Nadu, DMK, has demanded either a Chief Minister in charge or a new Chief Minister to streamline governance in the state.
“When Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital, medical bulletins said that she will be discharged in a few days. Now, they say that she has to stay longer, and under such circumstances the state is also facing several issues like Cauvery,” DMK treasurer and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, MK Stalin told reporters here on Sunday.
“Hence, in order to ensure that the administration is being run properly, for sure, immediately a chief minister-in charge or a new chief minister should be appointed,” Stalin added.
“It is the duty of the government to streamline governance (by appointing a new CM or a CM-in charge),” Stalin further said.
However, the demand failed to find support even from the key ally of DMK, the Congress.
“A regime is in place and the Chief Minister's health is improving,” Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Thirunavukkarasar said.
“There is a Governor for (supervising) governance, (who is) the Constitutional head of the State government like the President at the Union level ... there is a Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretaries for departments, Director General
of Police, and senior Ministers are there ... there is a government machinery (in place)," he added.
MDMK chief Vaiko too said there was no need for any chief minister-in charge.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (which is part of the People's Welfare Front comprising MDMK, CPI, and CPI(M)) chief Thol Thirumavalavan said, "Till such time the Chief Minister recovers, a democratic and transparent interim arrangement should be made in accordance with the Constitution to run governance in Tamil Nadu."
Jaya responding to treatment, says Venkaiah Naidu
Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday visited Apollo Hospitals and said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was responding to treatment even as the day witnessed visits by several other leaders, including Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, and prayers across the state for her speedy recovery.
"I had a detailed briefing by the doctors over the treatment that is going on, they told me that she is responding to the treatment. I am confident that she will be normal and she is improving," Naidu said.
In the backdrop of questions being raised on her health conditions, Naidu said there should be no speculation and rumour-mongering as the hospital is regularly giving details about her condition.
"It's nor fair...especially when a person is being treated in a hospital," he said.
