Chennai, July 23: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai on Monday after experiencing mild giddiness during his routine morning walk, officials said. He has been advised to rest for three days and may undergo further diagnostic tests during his stay.
A medical bulletin issued by the hospital on Monday night said the 71-year-old chief minister is stable and is expected to continue discharging official duties from the hospital.
“He is doing very well,” said Deputy Chief Minister and son Udhayanidhi Stalin, after visiting him in the afternoon and again in the evening. He attributed the episode to fatigue from Stalin’s extensive travel and political engagements over the past several weeks.
The chief minister had attended events earlier in the day, including a function at the DMK headquarters where former AIADMK leader A. Anwhar Raajhaa joined the ruling party. Stalin also met CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam, who invited him to a function marking the birth centenary of Fidel Castro in August.
Stalin, who later went to Apollo Hospital directly from the party office, cancelled all scheduled programmes, including events in Tiruppur and Coimbatore districts on July 22 and 23, as well as a book launch event in his Kolathur constituency.
The book function, which marked the release of the second part of his wife Durga Stalin’s memoir Avarum Naanum, had already been rescheduled following the death of Stalin’s half-brother, M.K. Muthu.
“He was disappointed he couldn’t attend, but watched the event via live stream,” Udhayanidhi told reporters.
A government release said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called Stalin to enquire about his health. Actor Rajinikanth, leaders from allied parties, and several film personalities also conveyed their wishes. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan expressed prayers for his speedy recovery.
