MGR's condition was different, Jaya had sudden cardiac arrest'

Chennai: The need to fly Jayalalithaa abroad for treatment did not arise as she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, whereas the case with former chief minister M.G. Ramachandran was totally different, said former State Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao.

Mr Rama Mohana Rao’s clarification on Wednesday comes in the wake of the Justice Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry asking Apollo Hospitals, here, and government as well, why Jayalalithaa was not taken abroad for treatment just as MGR was done. The Commission probing the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has earlier this month, asked Apollo Hospitals to provide details and documents relating to the hospitalisation of MG Ramachandran, the iconic All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader, who died in 1987.

“That condition was totally different. Till Oct. 21 (2016 following her admission on Sept. 22) madam was recovering and spoke to us. Thereafter, there was some health issues but she recovered and then she had sudden cardiac arrest. Nobody can stop it,” Mr Rama Mohana Rao who had served as chief secretary then, told reporters here after deposing before the Commission of Inquiry. He was responding to a question on why she was not taken abroad for treatment.

Asked if the state cabinet discussed about providing her treatment abroad, he replied, “I am not authorised to speak about what was discussed at the cabinet. I am not in the government (now). I don’t know.”

 Asked if he along with the health secretary submitted report on her hospitalisation to the government, the former CS shot back, “it’s the hospital’s responsibility.” “No, there were no hurdles in taking her abroad for treatment. The subject was already discussed,” he said when persisted if there were any problems in flying her abroad.

Then, when asked if he was satisfied with the commission, Mr Rao replied, “I shouldn’t speak. The commission is doing its job.”