DMK chief Karunanidhi to stay admitted for longer: Chennai hospital

Chennai: DMK president M Karunanidhi was in the intensive care unit of a city hospital for the fourth day on Tuesday. A statement from the hospital said that Karunanidhi continued to maintain his vital signs with active medical support.

It added that an extended period of hospitalisation would be necessary due to age-related overall decline in his general health, altered liver functions and haematological parameters.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi visited the DMK chief on Tuesday and described his condition as stable. "I met him, he is fine, stable. I am quite happy to see that he is doing well. He is a very tough person like the people of Tamil Nadu. He has the spirit of Tamil Nadu in him," Rahul told reporters after visiting Karunanidhi. 

After spending about 15 minutes at the hospital, the Congress president said his mother and predecessor Sonia Gandhi had sent her best wishes and regards to Karunanidhi and his family. 

Gandhi was accompanied by Tamil Nadu Congress chief Su Thirunavukkarasar and party leader Mukul Wasnik. 

The Congress president, who landed at the airport here from New Delhi in the afternoon, headed straight for the Kauvery Hospital in downtown Alwarpet amid tight security.

Top Tamil actor Rajinikanth also visited and enquired about the health of DMK president. Rajinikanth said he prayed for Karunanidhi's speedy recovery.

"Kalaignar is a very senior political leader. He is now asleep," he told reporters outside Kauvery Hospital, where Karunanidhi is admitted since Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister C Vijayabaskar had said Karunanidhi was "stable and breathing on his own".

DMK cadres continued to stay put outside the hospital premises despite a sudden downpour in the afternoon.