Date:17/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051750240100.htm

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Karunanidhi hospitalised

R.K. Radhakrishnan

He is suffering from severe backache and neck pain

Doctors say long hours spent in Assembly is the reason for pain
He spoke for a total of 4 hours and 38 minutes during the recent session

M. Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has been admitted to a private medical college hospital because of severe backache and neck pain.

A press release from Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan stated that Mr. Karunanidhi was in pain for the past few days. Doctors advised him to get admitted to a hospital so that they could give him better care. Mr. Karunanidhi accepted the advice and has been admitted to the medical college hospital at Sri Ramachandra University, Porur.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Anbazhagan said nobody should disturb Mr. Karunanidhi till he is discharged from hospital. In a free-wheeling interaction with The Hindu on Friday, the Chief Minister said each time he went to hospital for routine check-up, there was intense speculation in the media.

While he was not personally affected by it, some of his partymen might get carried away and rush to Chennai. This was unnecessary and hence, he was reluctant to get admitted to hospital.

Though the pain was severe on Friday, and though he had very few visitors, he still was in two minds on getting admitted. “Apart from this pain, I am fine.”

Mr. Karunanidhi said doctors had opined that the long hours he spent in the Assembly was the reason for the pain. His seat in the Assembly did not have adequate head support. From the time the Governor addressed the Assembly, the session lasted 40 days. It ended on May 14. According to Assembly Speaker R. Avudaiappan, the Chief Minster spoke for a total of 4 hours and 38 minutes during this session.

He was also actively involved in discussions and debates. Of the 45 calling attention motions taken up for discussion, Mr. Karunanidhi replied to 19. Also, of the six suo motu statements made on the floor of the House by Ministers, half were by the Chief Minister. He replied to the budget discussions for about an hour and a quarter and spent an equal time intervening/answering queries during the debate on the 51 demands for grants.

Physiotherapy

Doctors at the hospital confirmed that the Chief Minister was fine and was advised rest only on account of his back ache and neck pain. While in hospital, he will receive physiotherapy to ease pain and strengthen muscles, they added.