After alleging that he was never allowed to meet J Jayalalithaa even once when she was hospitalised in Chennai's Apollo Hospital, the incumbent Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Wednesday said that an inquiry commission will be formed to probe 'doubts' over the late chief minister's health.
The probe commission will be headed by a retired High Court judge.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Panneerselvam said, "Amma remained CM for nearly 16 years. I happened to become CM twice, all this was the wish of Amma. Always followed Amma's path. I haven't betrayed AIADMK party while in power or in opposition. I will withdraw resignation if party cadres ask."
Stating that the health queries regarding Amma were raised in recent past, he said, "It is the duty of the state government to inquire. Inquiry commission will be formed to probe 'doubts' regarding Jayalalithaa's health."
He also said that he will meet the governor once Ch Vidyasagar Rao is back in Chennai. "I will prove my strength in the assembly. I will meet Tamil Nadu people in each and every city to make my point," he added.
London-based specialist Richard Beale, Apollo Hospital and government doctors had on Monday ruled out poisoning as the cause of Amma's death and asserted that there was "no conspiracy" or mystery in either the treatment or what led to her death. "She succumbed to serious infection which led to organ failure," Beale told the media.
"She had septicemia with uncontrolled diabetes as she had blood pressure and sugar, this disease spread rapidly in her body. The best of treatment was given to her in ICU with critical care. In medical science, whatever we could have done we did," said one of the doctors in a press conference arranged by the Tamil Nadu government.
Jayalalithaa passed away on the night of December 5, 2016, a day after suffering cardiac arrest.
The 68-year-old politician who was under the watch of experts, including cardiologists, breathed her last at Apollo Hospital in Chennai.
Jayalalithaa, who had scored a historic win in the assembly elections in the state a little over six months prior to this, was admitted to Apollo Hospital on September 22, 2016, with fever and dehydration.
