Chennai: Tamil Nadu's Finance Minister and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's close confidant O Panneerselvam on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the state cabinet in the absence of the AIADMK chief who is currently under treatment at the Apollo Hospital here.
Panneerselvam, who has been given additional charge of Jayalalithaa's eight departments, will hold cabinet meetings while she is in hospital in the days to come.
The state cabinet's key agenda today was a discussion on the state's Cauvery waters row with neighbour Karnataka amid calls from the opposition for a meeting of all political parties on the issue.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister O Panneerselvam reaches Tamil Nadu Secretariat, to chair Cabinet meeting, today pic.twitter.com/6wBB9geCfY
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 19, 2016
Meanwhile, there was no update on the Chief Minister's health for the eighth consecutive day.
Ever since Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospital on September 22, the hospital has been issuing a medical bulletin about her condition at intervals.
The last time it issued a health bulletin was on October 10 in which it said that Jayalalithaa is being constantly monitored by intensivists and other consultants.
On October 8, the hospital said, "The respiratory support is closely watched and adjusted. Lungs decongestion treatment is being continued. All other comprehensive measures, including nutrition, supportive therapy and passive physiotherapy, are under way."
Meanwhile, the AIADMK supporters continued to hold special prayers outside Apollo Hospital for the speedy recovery of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa.
Chennai: Supporters offer prayers outside Apollo Hospital for the speedy recovery of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/sSFjyk4vWV
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 19, 2016
The 68-year-old Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital for fever and dehydration.
The doctors later said she needed a longer stay at the hospital as she was suffering from infection and put her on respiratory support.
However, several rumours about her health flew thick and fast during the initial days of her hospitalisation.
Following that, Apollo Hospitals started issuing the medical bulletins at regular intervals.
The state police started cracking down on the rumour mongers.
With PTI inputs
