UPDATE: Jayalalithaa passes away after a cardiac arrest

Chennai - Apollo said that Jayalalithaa, 68, who suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, "continues to be on life support at the hospital".

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who suffered a cardiac passed away on Monday.

"The AIIMS team... they have come and are treating (Jayalalithaa). She is responding to it," a spokesperson from the ruling party said tonight without elaborating.

The senior leader's remarks came even as Apollo Hospital, where Jayalalithaa is admitted, said its specialists and those from AIIMS were constantly monitoring the 68-year-old chief minister very closely.

The Centre had earlier in the day dispatched a team of specialists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences to the Apollo Hospital where Jayalalithaa is undergoing treatment after suffering cardiac arrest late Sunday.

The team of AIIMS doctors include pulmonologist Dr G C Khilnani, anaesthetist Dr Anjan Trikha, cardiac surgeon Dr Sachin Talwar and cardiologist Dr Rajiv Narang.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa is still alive, Apollo Hospitals said on Monday, after a TV report about her death sparked trouble and mass frenzy outside the hospital.

"Some TV channels were wrongly reporting that the Chief Minister is no more. This is totally baseless and false," a statement from the hospital said.

"They are advised to rectify this mistake based on this press release."

Apollo said that Jayalalithaa, 68, who suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, "continues to be on life support at the hospital".

A large number of doctors from Apollo and AIIMS continue to provide all life saving measures, Sangita Reddy, Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, had tweeted earlier.

But before the clarification came, a Sun TV report that Jayalalithaa was no more triggered frenzy both outside the hospital, where thousands had gathered since Sunday evening, and at the AIADMK headquarters.

WATCH: Party lowers then raisas flag amidst Jaya death rumours

A group of emotionally charged AIADMK activists tried to barge into the hospital after breaking the police barricades but were pushed back by the police.

Many others simply broke down, unable to check their emotions. There were loud cries of "Amma, Amma!"

At the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai, the party flag was brought down to half mast. It was restored to its original position once the Apollo statement came.

Inside, hundreds of people wept on hearing the Sun TV report. "How can you leave us?" cried one man.

Apollo has said that Jayalalithaa, who was admitted to the hospital in September, was in very critical condition.

In quick succession, Apollo hospital released two statements saying Jayalalithaa, who suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, was on life support systems.

Jayalalithaa: From film star to Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

The brief hospital statement said Jayalalithaa "continues to be very critical and is on ECMO and other life support systems".

ECMO or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a life support system used for patients with life threatening heart or lung problems.

Apollo said she was being treated and closely monitored by experts.

The hospital tweeted:

The condition of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa is "very critical", Apollo Hospitals said on Monday.

A brief statement said the AIADMK leader, who suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, "continues to be very critical and is on ECMO and other life support systems".

Sabarimala dedicates Monday meals to wish for Jayalalithaa's recovery

The famed Sabarimala temple has dedicated free meals to around 75,000 pilgrims on Monday to wish for the speedy recovery of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, a senior temple official said.

The first of the statement came just after union Health Minister J.P. Nadda claimed that the actor-turned-politician, who has been in hospital since September, was out of danger.

"She is out of danger but she needs ICU care," Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda told a television news channel in New Delhi.

The minister's comments appeared to make no impact on Jayalalithaa supporters across Tamil Nadu who offered prayers for her recovery even as doctors at Apollo said they were doing their best.

Crowds began to mass outside the hospital from Sunday evening as news spread like wild fire that the AIADMK leader, who has been continuously in hospital since September, had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Read: AIADMK member dies after hearing about Jayalalithaa's health condition

"Our doctors are closely monitoring Hon'ble CM's condition and they are trying their very best," tweeted Apollo Hospitals Joint Managing Director Sangita Reddy on Monday.

Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, who has additional charge of the state, returned from Mumbai and visited the hospital to enquire about Jayalalithaa's condition on Sunday night.

However he has not issued any statement after his hospital visit.

In the earlier occasion Raj Bhavan had issued a statement soon after he visited Apollo Hospitals.

On Sunday night the hospital said, in a statement:

"The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who is undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai, suffered a cardiac arrest this evening. She is being treated and monitored by a team of experts including cardiologists, pulmonologist and the critical care specialists."

It later said in a tweet that she "is on extracorporeal membrane heart assist device and is being treated by a team of expert doctors and critical care specialists".

"Dr Richard Beale from London has also been consulted and he has concurred with the line of treatment by our cardiologists & pulmonologists," it said in another tweet.

In an another tweet, the hospital said: "The Hon'ble CM is the beloved leader of the masses. Please join us in praying for her speedy recovery. #GodblessAmma #Jayalalithaa."

"The Apollo TN CM #Jayalalita is critical.multi speciality team @hospitalsapollo trying everything including ecmo.praying for her recovery," tweeted Sangita Reddy earlier.

While a large police contingent was deployed at the hospital, reports said that security was being stepped up across the state.

State ministers, senior officials and others gathered at the hospital, as did a huge crowd of AIADMK cadre, many of whom broke down while others fervently prayed for her recovery. Some tried to enter the hospital premises but were restrained.

Normal life unaffected in Tamil Nadu

Normal life was not affected in Tamil Nadu on Monday after the hospital sources said CM Jayalalithaa had suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening.

Educational institutions and offices functioned as usual and state transport buses were operated.

However, security was beefed up across the state.

Security hiked in Kerala-TN border

Security was beefed up on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border including at the famed Sabarimala temple was hiked.

Kerala Police beefed up forces in the bordering districts like Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki and Palakkad.

The police also cordoned off certain areas in the famed Sabarimala temple located at a hilltop, using ropes to ensure that no untoward incidents occur.

A huge number of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu were coming to the temple for the two-month-long festival season that got underway in November.

The popular tourist destination of Thekkady in Idukki district that borders Kambam of Theni district in Tamil Nadu-the route most take from Tamil Nadu was also under close vigil.

Likewise at Munnar - another popular tourist and work destination of the Tamil people, was given extra security by the Kerala police.

Ever since reports surfaced on Sunday that Jayalalithaa's condition deteriorated, Kerala authorities were monitoring the situation as things could get out of hand due to emotional outburst.

TN cops asked to report for duty by 7 AM on Monday

The Tamil Nadu DGP has ordered all police officers and personnel to report for duty by Monday morning for deployment in view of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa suffering a cardiac arrest.

In a communication to ADGPs of Enforcement, CB-CID, Economic Offences Wing and Crime wings, the DGP's office today asked them to "mobilise all the officers in the rank of SPs and police personnel of other ranks of Enforcement, CBCID, EOW and Crime completely and they should report" to SPs and Commissioners of Police at 7 AM on Monday.

"They should report in full uniform with their vehicles for law and order bandobust duty until further orders," it said.

Security was already being beefed up in the state ahead of the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary tomorrow.

No statement from Governor

Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, who has additional charge of the state, returned from Mumbai and visited the hospital to enquire about Jayalalithaa's condition on Sunday night.

However he has not issued any statement after his hospital visit.

In the earlier occasion Raj Bhavan had issued a statement soon after he visited Apollo Hospitals.

While a large police contingent was deployed at the hospital, reports said that security was being stepped up across the state.

State ministers, senior officials and others gathered at the hospital, as did a huge crowd of AIADMK cadre, many of whom broke down while others fervently prayed for her recovery. Some tried to enter the hospital premises but were restrained.

Meanwhile according to reports some areas experienced shortage of milk supplies and traders jacked up the prices several folds.

WATCT: A rare interview of Jayalalitha

President wishes Jayalalithaa a speedy recovery

President Pranab Mukherjee wished Jayalalithaa a speedy recovery.

Karunanidhi, Stalin wish Jayalalithaa speedy recovery

DMK chief M. Karunanidhi and his son and party leader M.K. Stalin also took to Twitter to convey their wishes for her speedy recovery.

PM Modi Wishes Chief Minister Jayalalithaa

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday expressed concern over the health of his Tamil Nadu counterpart J. Jayalalithaa, who suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday.

"Got to know about Tamil Nadu CM #Jayalalithaa ji's health. Maharashtra prays for her speedy recovery!" posted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while his Rajasthan counterpart Vasundhara Raje tweeted: "Prayers for the speedy recovery of Tamil Nadu CM #Jayalalithaa ji. May she get recover soon."

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad tweeted: "Totally worried about the health of #Jayalalithaa Ji. Wishing and Praying for speedy recovery. Let's all pray for her."

The 68-year-old Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital for treatment of fever and dehydration on September 22. The doctors later said she needed a longer hospital stay as she was suffering from infection, and put her on respiratory support.

Recently Apollo Hospitals Chairman Pratap C. Reddy told media that Jayalalithaa is returning to normalcy, and had been shifted out of Intensive Care Unit as there were no health complications. She could go home whenever she decides to do so, he had said.

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