More than 3,000 All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members participated in a yagna to pray for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's recovery in Chennai on Wednesday, NDTV reported. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai on September 22 for fever and dehydration. Around 200 priests participated in the "108 Mrityunjay Yagna" organised by legislator and Jayalalithaa loyalist R Vetrivel.

Officials told the news channel that the ceremony, where free saris were also distributed, cost an estimated Rs 35 lakh. Vetrivel said, "We worship her like anything. We want her to come back fully recovered," NDTV reported. Vetrivel dismissed accusations of sycophancy as "silly allegations".

On Wednesday, the party also appointed 24 functionaries to oversee work ahead of the November 19 bypolls in the state, The Times of India reported. The appointments were apparently made with Jayalalithaa's approval.

Jayalalithaa's health has been a major cause for concern in the state. AIADMK supporters are still holding special prayers across Tamil Nadu for her recovery. One of her supporters allegedly committed suicide in Tirupur district on October 13 after reading reports about her health deteriorating.

The AIADMK has tried to end speculation about her health. At least eight people have been arrested for "spreading rumours" about her condition, and more than 50 cases have been registered. On October 10, the AIADMK had launched a social media campaign, asking supporters to use the hashtags #MyCMIsFine and #NoMoreRumours to help end the speculation.

Meanwhile, the Madras High Court has directed the police to investigate two Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam workers who had allegedly posted misinformation about Jayalalithaa on social media.

DMK Treasurer MK Stalin, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, Nita Ambani and actor Rajinikanth were among those who have visited Apollo Hospital in an attempt to meet the AIADMK chief, but none were allowed inside her ward.