I want to know status of Jayalalithaa's health, says niece

CHENNAI: “I have a right to know. As her blood relative, I have a right to know the health status of my aunt (J Jayalalithaa),” said Deepa Jayakumar, the daughter of the Chief Minister’s only brother late Jayakumar. Deepa Jayakumar told Deccan Chronicle that she tried “very hard” to see her aunt, admitted to Apollo Hospitals since September 22 with complications, but was prevented access to the second floor where Ms Jayalalithaa is undergoing critical care treatment.

“There is some block. There is somebody, I cannot say who. There is definitely someone who is blocking (me from) meeting my aunt. I want to hold her hand, tend to her during this critical time. I want to be next to her and take care of her. But there is some block,” she said. Recalling her last meeting with Ms Jayalalithaa, which happened at the latter’s Poes Garden bungalow during her second CM term (2001-2006), Ms Deepa, an MBA graduate, said her aunt has always been affectionate with her and her father Jayakumar, who is presently no more. “She had always received me with warmth. The last time I met her at Poes Garden, she was very happy and we spoke a lot. We spoke about our family. Though we did not meet after that, we stayed in touch,” Ms Deepa said.

In fact, Ms Deepa said, the Chief Minister wanted to keep her brother’s family in Poes Garden, but “something made sure it never happened and I don’t have answers for many questions that come across my mind.” “At every stage, something made sure it does not happen. It could be said there was someone or something behind it,” Ms Deepa said. The Chief Minister’s niece, who had waited at the gates of the Apollo Hospitals to gain entry into the campus to meet her aunty, says she has the right to know about her health. “Why can’t they allow me? I want to meet her. And the people of the state have the right to know about their chief minister’s health”, she said.