Karunanidhi's health deteriorates further, supporters throng hospital

Ailing DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi's health condition has "declined" and maintaining his vital organ functions remains a “challenge” for doctors due to age-related ailments, Kauvery Hospital told media on Monday evening.

In the health bulletin, the hospital had said that the next 24 hours will be crucial for former Tamil Nadu CM Karunanidhi. Hearing the news of the deteriorating health of Karunanidhi, thousands of his supporters gathered outside Chennai's Kauvery Hospital.

DMK cadres are hopeful that their party president, even after being pushed to a critical health condition on Monday night, will bounce back to good health soon.

The members of DMK gathered outside Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet were neither extremely depressed nor happy, but they believe their leader would soon return home.

Karunanidhi was admitted to Kauvery hospital in Chennai following a drop in blood pressure on July 28. Since then, the medical status of the 94-year-old has gone through ups and downs.

After a health scare, the doctors extended his period of hospitalisation due to age-related overall decline in his general health, altered liver functions and haematological parameters.

A spate of visitors have visited the five times chief minister of Tamil Nadu during the past few days, including President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

(With inputs from agencies)