Jayalalithaa's right hand inflamed, signs off election affidavits with thumb print

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals with fever and dehydration on September 22.

Chennai: Amid news that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is on the road to full recovery, a report on Saturday said that the right hand of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief is inflamed.

A document filed by her party's Tiruparangundram candidate AK Bose on Friday for the upcoming by-elections in the Tiruparangundram Assembly constituency on November 19 carried an impression of Jayalalithaa's left thumb print and not a signature.

In Form A and B, where she has to authorise the party candidate, AK Bose, as AIADMK's official nominee, Jayalalithaa's left thumb impression has been affixed for the purpose.

"The signatory (Jayalalithaa) is presently hospitalised in Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai."

"Since the signatory has undergone Tracheotomy recently and has an inflamed right hand, she is temporarily unable to affix her signature," the document said.

"Hence she has affixed her left thumb impression on her own in my presence," the document, attested by Dr P Balaji, Prof of Minimal Access Surgery, Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and signed by Dr Babu K Abraham of Apollo Hospitals as witness, said.

On October 27, the AIADMK had said: "Our leader is recovering fast. She is interacting with others. She speaks and it is all rumours that she communicates only by sign language.”

Party spokesperson CR Saraswathi had told news agency IANS that it was for the doctors to decide on Jayalalithaa's discharge.

The hospital had issued the last bulletin on Jayalalithaa last week where it said she continued to be under treatment and observation for all vital parameters, respiratory support, and passive physiotherapy.

The 68-year-old was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals with fever and dehydration on September 22.

Doctors later said she needed a longer stay at the hospital as she had an infection and was put on respiratory support.

According to Apollo, a team of specialists like cardiologists, respiratory physicians, consultants for infectious diseases, diabetologist and endocrinologist was treating Jayalalithaa.

(With Agency inputs)