Jaya died hours before ‘official’ time, insists Panneerselvam

Two days after the Tamil Nadu government released the treatment summary from Apollo Hospitals and a report from AIIMS doctors, which said that former chief minister J Jayalalithaa died at 11.30pm on 5 December, rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam on Wednesday insisted he had been informed about her death earlier.

"On December 5, I was informed between 6 pm and 6.30 pm about the passing away of Amma. I immediately rushed to the hospital and enquired with (party interim general secretary) V K Sasikala and her family. But they said there was no announcement. Finally, the announcement came at 11.30pm," Panneerselvam said.

Meanwhile Panneerselvam ended the hunger strike which he and his supporters observed in Chennai and other places in the state, but reiterated their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the hospitalisation and death of Jayalalithaa.

Panneerselvam, who had held the government portfolios of Jayalalithaa after her hospitalisation, didn't say who had informed him about her death.

The rebel AIADMK leader wanted a CBI inquiry into the happenings at the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa prior to her hospitalisation on 22 September and also the type of treatment given to Jayalalithaa. He vowed to continue the fight against Sasikala and her family.

The former chief minister said he would file a case against state health secretary J Radhakrishnan for stating that his approval had been received before ending the treatment to Jayalalithaa, who suffered a cardiac arrest on 4 December.

"Radhakrishnan has said my approval was received for ending the treatment, but he did not contact me. If he does not take his words back, I will sue him," he said.

"For 75 days none of us were allowed to meet Jayalalithaa. In the corridors of Apollo Hospitals, state health minister C Vijayabaskar had posted seven people to monitor those visiting the hospital. Their job was to note down the names of the people and how they spent the time there. This was the job Vijayabaskar was doing," alleged Panneerselvam.

The former chief minister recalled the 2011 eviction of Sasikala and her family members from the Poes Garden residence and the return of Sasikala four months later. He read out a list of relatives who were expelled. He also read out a statement issued by Jayalalithaa.

"Look at the names of Sasikala family members who were expelled by Amma. Now look at who are all back in the party. Even though Sasikala alone was admitted into Poes Garden, the conspiracy against Amma by her family members continued," alleged Panneerselvam.