Stalin Wonders If it was Jayalalithaa Who Made First Communication from Hospital

Chennai: The DMK on Monday raised doubts over Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's first communication since her hospitalisation that she had taken a "rebirth", wondering whether it was indeed made by her since it had no mention of the "people's sufferings" post the currency demonetisation move by the Centre.

DMK treasurer and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly MK Stalin said "we are happy" if Jayalalithaa had recovered as mentioned by herself yesterday.

However, "It is regrettable that there was no mention of the sufferings of the people," he said, referring to the problems encountered by the citizens following the Centre's demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes which has resulted in serpentine queues at banks and ATMs.

"So, what I suspect is, whether she herself had released the statement or if it was someone else from behind the screen," Stalin told reporters.

Later, in a release, the DMK leader said Jayalalithaa's statement did not make any mention about the sufferings of the people following the demonetisation of high value notes.

In her statement, she had only sought votes for the elections in Thanjavur and Aravakurichi Assembly segments and by-polls to Thirupparankundram and Nellithope (in Puducherry), he said.

"There was no announcement of any worthwhile steps to mitigate the problems of the people who are now not able to buy even essential needs on account of shortage of currency notes, nor was there even a small consolation for the citizens from her," Stalin added.

"If it was a statement released in Jayalalithaa's name (by someone else), then it amounts to misleading their own party workers," he said.

Yesterday, Jayalalithaa had said she had taken rebirth because of the prayers of the people and urged them to vote for the AIADMK in the November 19 polls in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

In her first communication since being hospitalised in September, the chief minister said she did not have any grievances in view of the people's "great love" for her, and that, "by God's grace, very soon, by recovering fully, I am waiting to resume work."

The 68-year-old AIADMK supremo was admitted to Apollo Hospital here on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. Later, the hospital had said she was being treated for an infection with respiratory support, among others.

Specialists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and from London, among others, have treated Jayalalithaa.