The best way to keep a secret is to pretend there isn’t one-  If this quote by Margaret Atwood’s is put in connection to the ailing Amma of Tamil Nadu, one might be provoked to enquire about her condition. Little is known about Jayalalitha’s health condition, who is not just the face of Tamil Nadu but also a demi-god for its people.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has been in hospital since September 22 and the reticent health bulletins from the hospital or his staff has served little or no clarity to the people who are praying for her health sincerely. She was hospitalised after she complained of fever and dehydration. And ever since that day, statements such as – ‘her condition is improving’, ‘ she is under observation’, ‘she is recovering fast’ etc have been issued. What remains uniform in these ambiguous phrases is hope, that is being injected so as to keep Amma’s tenure in place.

A doctor from UK has been called to examine her, while leaders such as Venkaiah Naidu, Rahul Gandhi have payed their visit to her. While DMK president Karunanidhi asked for a photograph of the Chief Minister so that rumours surrounding her condition can be silenced, many came upon him heavily for demanding such an ‘evidence.’

Also read | How ‘proxy’ O Panneerselvam stepped in Jayalalitha’s shoes for the third time

However, was Karunanidhi wrong in asking so?

The face that adorns salt packets, canteen shutters and other government schemes is now locked behind a facility that is difficult to be broken into. From Wikipedia edit to dated photographs, rumours continue to fly in the state in hope of getting a better understanding of their leader. Many supports of Amma are known to worship her as a goddess or like Adhiparashakti – also the title of a 1971 Tamil language film she starred in – or the “omnipotent female power”.

Meanwhile, Opposition DMK today welcomed Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao allocating portfolios held by hospitalised Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, saying the move would augur well for the state’s administration.

While secrecy, rumours, lies and gossip guard the life of Jayalalitha, a recital for Amma’s betterment is being chanted by her followers.