As the health conditions of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa started deteriorating on Monday evening, several news TV channels reported that the CM passed away. Even Jaya TV owned by AIADMK ran the report of her death. However, Apollo hospital in Chennai dismissed such reports.

“Jayalalithaa is being closely monitored by a team of experts" and that she was still on life support systems is the latest statement from the Apollo hospital.
 On Sunday evening, the hospital had asked the public to "pray for her speedy recovery".

Meanwhile, thousands of supporters assembled at the Apollo hospital as news about the deteriorating health spread.

Fifty-eight-year-old Sowkath Ali, a bus operator from Villupuram district rushed to Chennai on hearing about Amma, as Jayalalithaa is popularly known. He was standing vigil outside the hospital where the CM has been receiving treatment since Sunday night. With a piece of paper in hand on which he had
written a few lines of praise for Jayalalithaa, Ali was seen praying for her speedy recovery. 

Monisha and Arundathi from Stella Maris College could not hold back themselves and stopped near Apollo hospital while returning from their college. They came to the hospital just to enquire about the Jayalalithaa’s health.

Meanwhile, MLAs from ruling AIADMK party kept visiting the hospital. Insiders said that the ruling party has started the process of deciding on whom to nominate as the party head.  

To look after law and order, several policemen have been deployed outside the hospital and also at Poes Garden residence of the chief minister.