Jayalalithaa Had Cardiac Arrest Sunday Evening, Says Hospital And Party

J Jayalalithaa, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and one of India's most powerful and popular politicians, had a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening in the Chennai hospital where she has spent the last three months being treated for a prolonged lung infection.

"She is being treated and monitored by a team of experts, including cardiologists, pulmonologist and critical care specialists," said Dr Subbaiah Viswanathan of Apollo Hospital. Doctors said she had been put on an extracorporeal membrane heart assist device, a life support system that aids heart and lung functioning.

After a phone call from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday evening, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao flew back to Chennai from Maharashtra, which is also in his charge and visited the hospital. He was there for about 10 minutes and left without making a statement.

All of Tamil Nadu's ministers converged at the hospital. Hundreds of supporters of the Chief Minister gathered outside to pray for her. The Press Trust of India reported that nine units of riot police, each with about 100 members, were being prepped to be flown into Tamil Nadu, if needed.

Police across the state were asked to be on high alert and the entire force was asked to report to duty at 7 am. Schools have not been closed and exams will go on as scheduled, officials said.