Chennai, August 6: After a medical bulletin by Kauvery Hospital on Monday stating Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Chief M. Karunanidhi's health has further declined, scores of DMK workers started marching towards the Kauvery hospital in Chennai's Alwarpet. Supporters of the DMK chief gathered outside the hospital in large numbers, praying for their leader’s speedy recovery. Traffic in various parts of the city was paralysed as hundreds took to streets shouting out to their leader to "Get up and Come."

The hospital said that the 94-year-old DMK Chief's response to medical intervention over the next 24 hours would determine the prognosis. The DMK Chief, fondly known as Kalaignar, was reported to have been suffering from complications arising from a UTI or a urinary tract infection.

The medical bulletin released on Monday said that doctors at the Kauvery Hospital in Chennai are facing a challenge in maintaining his vital organ functions. "There has been a decline in the medical condition of Karunanidhi. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age-related ailments," said the hospital statement.

The hospital further added saying that Karunanidhi is continuous being monitoring by the doctors. "He is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support. His response to medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis," it said.

On July 31, the hospital said an extended period of hospitalisation will be necessary due to age-related overall decline in his general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters.

Karunanidhi's family members including DMK working president M.K. Stalin, Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, M.K. Alagiri and M.K. Tamilarasu have reached the hospital. Also, senior DMK leaders A. Raja and K.N. Nehru are also in the hospital. Earlier in the evening, Union minister Nitin Gadkari met MK Stalin and Kanimozhi at Kauvery Hospital. Apart from Gadkari, other top leaders including President Ram Nath Kovind, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the DMK Chief in the hospital earlier this week.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2018 10:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).