India's Jayaram Jayalalitha still 'critical' after heart attack
India's Jayaram Jayalalitha still 'critical' after heart attack
Thousands of people are standing vigil outside the hospital in Chennai.
Ms Jayalalitha, 68, has been receiving treatment for months and was last seen in public in September.
The former film star has been Tamil Nadu chief minister four times and is revered by many in the state.
With the extreme devotion she inspires among her supporters, many of whom refer to her as "Amma" (mother), there are concerns that a serious deterioration in her condition could spark unrest.
Police have been put on alert across Tamil Nadu and outside her official residence in Chennai (Madras).
There have already been scuffles outside the hospital, following incorrect reports of her death in Indian media. The reports have since been retracted, and a flag flying at half-mast over her party's headquarters has been hoisted once more.
News of her health over the last few months has been closely monitored and guarded, and in a sign of the sensitivity around the issue two people were arrested for spreading rumours about her health in October.
One of India's most popular and
powerful politicians, J Jayalalitha, remains in a critical condition
after suffering a heart attack on Sunday night, the hospital treating
her said.
Ms Jayalalitha, 68, has been receiving treatment for months and was last seen in public in September.
The former film star has been Tamil Nadu chief minister four times and is revered by many in the state.
With the extreme devotion she inspires among her supporters, many of whom refer to her as "Amma" (mother), there are concerns that a serious deterioration in her condition could spark unrest.
Police have been put on alert across Tamil Nadu and outside her official residence in Chennai (Madras).
There have already been scuffles outside the hospital, following incorrect reports of her death in Indian media. The reports have since been retracted, and a flag flying at half-mast over her party's headquarters has been hoisted once more.
News of her health over the last few months has been closely monitored and guarded, and in a sign of the sensitivity around the issue two people were arrested for spreading rumours about her health in October.
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