Chennai, August 7: The health condition of DMK president M Karunanidhi continued to remain critical, doctors treating him in Kauvery Hospital said on Tuesday. The doctors on Monday night had informed that Karunanidhi, who has been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of the hospital since July 29, is “very critical.” DMK supporters continued to gather outside Kauvery Hospital and hailed the 'Thailavar's' fighting spirit.

"Ezhundhu Vaa Thalaivaa" (Awake, our leader) and "Vaa, Vaa, Gopalapuram Polaam Vaa" (Come, Come, let's go to Gopalapuram) were among the slogans raised by the emotionally-charged crowd outside the hospital. On Tuesday, M.K. Stalin and  Kanimozhi met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and held a meeting at Palaniswami's residence.

A press release issued by the hospital on Monday informed that the 94-year-old five-time Tamil Nadu chief minister was being continuously monitored and treated with active medical support. Earlier on Tuesday, DMK leader Kanimozhi met people gathered outside Chennai's Kauvery hospital where her father and former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment.

Nearly 500 to 600 police personnel are on duty in and around the hospital and more than 1200-armed reserve policemen are on standby. It must be noted that the hospital has so far released five medical bulletins on Karunanidhi's health. According to reports, traffic has been paralysed in Chennai as Crowd swells outside the hospital in Chennai’s Alwarpet. Reports inform that Luz Church Road has been blocked from Nageshwara Rao park towards the Kauvery Hospital while vehicles are being allowed towards St. Isabel's hospital.

On July 31, the hospital had extended the DMK Chief’s stay ‘due to age-related overall decline in his general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters.’ The August 6 medical bulletin said, "There has been a decline in the medical condition of the DMK president and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age-related ailments.

The bulletin further added that he is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support and his response to the medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine the progress. The 94-year-old DMK Supremo has not been making any public appearances for the past two years, owing to his ill health. It must be noted that Karunanidhi still holds the top post in the Dravidian party.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2018 03:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).