Tamil Nadu Congress questions EPS, OPS' silence over Jayalalithaa's death

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Congress on Saturday raised questions on the silence of Chief Minister K. Palanisamy, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Jayalalithaa`s death in a Chennai hospital last year.

Speaking to ANI here, State Congress chief S Thirunavukkarasar said, "I want to know whether the present Tamil Nadu CM has met Jayalalithaa or not. Palanisamy was an important minister at that point of time and the present Deputy CM who was then the in charge of chief minister then why these people are not opening their mouths. Let the Chief Minister and Deputy CM tell the truth that they met her or not."

Thirunavukkarasar suggested that government doctors and experts should assist the inquiry commission who is probing Jayalalithaa's death.

"A team of experts, Government doctors should be appointed to assist the inquiry commission because they can only say about what should have been done, what should not have been done in her treatment. Let the people know the truth, whosoever has committed the mistake, they should be booked and punished," he said.

"Why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Health Secretary of the Center did not come to see Jayalalithaa when she was admitted to the hospital, why they did not consult the concerned doctor about her health. She could have been shifted to America or Singapore for further treatment like other iconic leaders," he added.

Earlier in the day, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president MK Stalin said if a lie detector test was conducted, "many truths" would come from state ministers on her demise.

However, a panel was formed under retired Madras High Court judge Justice A. Arumugasamy on to probe the death of Jayalalithaa.