When the news of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa’s cardiac arrest broke out last night, there were mixed reactions instantly rippling across the state. Asianet News tracked how Coimbatore reacted to this news by talking to residents and people there.
Here is how life came to a stand-still in Coimbatore, following the news of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa’s cardiac arrest and her continuing on life support:
1. Coimbatore, a bustling vibrant city which does not lose its rhythm even past midnight, witnessed a bandh-like situation last night. All shops shut down immediately and hotels closed their gates. Even eateries did not function.
2. A resident at a local eatery in Coimbatore told Asianet News that people eating inside were asked to leave the premises immediately so that it could be shut down.
3. It is not just the eateries and shops that shut down but even petrol pumps in Coimbatore were shut.
However, the only signs of ‘activity’ were centered around the AIADMK office in Coimbatore where the media and party workers had gathered to know the latest updates on Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa’s health conditions.
However, the mood shifted by evening today and tension charged the atmosphere in Coimbatore nhen some Tamil Channels wrongly broadcasted that the CM is no more. Although Apollo Hospital’s clarification cheered up the party workers, there was tension in the air and the party workers asked media persons to leave their premises and to show sensitivity in reporting.
This also came as a clear indicator of how sensitive the people of Tamil Nadu are when it comes to any news updates relating to their beloved leader ‘Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’ namely – Jayalalithaa.