The timing of the press conference addressed by Dr Richard Beale, former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s doctor has raised suspicions among several quarters, coming as it does two months after her death and a day after AIADMK supremo VK Sasikala was appointed as the leader of the Legislature Party.
While the press conference in Chennai was facilitated by the state government to dispel rumours about the late CM’s death, the question that was uppermost in everyone’s mind was why it took so long to meet the press.
The press meet was addressed by consultant intensivist Dr Richard Beale from UK, Madras Medical College Director and Vice-Principal, Institute of Anatomy Dr Sudha Seshayyan besides Dr Balaji, the government coordinator and Dr Babu Abraham with Apollo Hospital.
While Dr Balaji denied that there was political pressure to address the media, Dr Babu Abraham clarified that the press conference was not called by Apollo Hospital, the private hospital where Jayalalithaa had been admitted for nearly 75 days.
It was, however, the British consultant Dr Beale, who elaborated stating, “From my point of view, clearly this press conference is being facilitated by the government and I have always been willing to come and participate in a discussion such as this within the limits of confidentiality that I have already alluded to.
To be honest, it’s been quite upsetting to watch from a distance many of the more extreme rumours that have been going around about things that apparently happened. So, I would imagine it would always be necessary at some point to try and dispel that and some of you may know that even back at home, me and my office have been approached about some of these issues and it’s unfortunate.
As to why it’s happening now, this is when the government has chosen to facilitate it and when we’re available and I’ve been asked to be here so here I am.”
It may be recalled that after battling for her life at Apollo Hospital in Chennai for 75 days, the iconic Dravidian leader and six-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu succumbed to her illness on December 5, 2016 at 11.30pm.
Though initially the hospital had said that she was suffering from fever and dehydration, soon experts were flown in from London, Singapore and AIIMS, Delhi. A team of doctors from Apollo including cardiologists, nephrologists, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists and dieticians were helping Jayalalithaa recover.
The 68-year old CM suffered from diabetes, cellulitis and hypertension among other ailments, according to her 2014 bail plea filed with the Karnataka High Court following her conviction in the disproportionate assets case.
Jayalalithaa’s last public appearance was on September 21, when she inaugurated the metro rail service from Chennai Airport to Little Mount via video conference in the presence of Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Pon Radhakrishnan.
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