Chennai: As hospital authorities continue to monitor the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s health, various national and state political leaders visited Apollo Hospital on Sunday, and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda wrote to Tamil Nadu chief secretary Dr P Rama Mohana Rao to wish Jayalalithaa a speedy recovery.

CPI national secretary D Raja and Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy visited Apollo Hospitals to enquire about the health of Jayalalithaa, who was admitted on September 22 for fever and dehydration. Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) chief GK Vasan also visited the hospital and met the doctors who are treating the chief minister.

Deve Gowda, in his letter, said, “It is a really sorry state of affairs to all of us in general and particularly for Tamil Nadu state that the chief minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa’s health condition is not good and she is admitted to hospital in Chennai.”

Stating that he was happy to know that Jayalalithaa’s condition is improving and that she is under the observation of a panel of doctors from India and abroad, Gowda said, “It is not only my wish, but also the wish of the people of Tamil Nadu that ‘Amma’ will come out of all these ailments and once again take over the crown of Tamil Nadu.”

“God will give her an opportunity again to serve the people of Tamil Nadu in a more befitting manner”, he said and requested the chief secretary to convey his message of good wishes for the AIADMK leader’s speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, Apollo Hospitals sources today continued to maintain that the respiratory support for the chief minister is closely watched and adjusted. “All the other comprehensive measures, including nutrition, supportive therapy and passive physiotherapy are underway,” sources said.

As Jayalalithaa is expected to stay for longer in the hospital, the issue of appointing an interim chief minister also gained momentum with Opposition parties, including the DMK, urging for it.

However, the ruling AIADMK, which is against such an appointment, is mulling handing over Jayalalithaa’s portfolio to senior ministers.

The 68-year old chief minister handles the portfolios of Public, Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Forest Service, General Administration, District Revenue Officers, Police and Home.