Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s right hand is inflamed, which is why she had put her left thumb impression on the nomination paper for an All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate, PTI reported. The document was for AK Bose, who the ruling party has fielded for November 19 by-elections in Thiruparankundram.

The document said, “The signatory [Jayalalithaa] is currently hospitalised in Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai. Since the signatory has undergone Tracheotomy recently and has an inflamed right hand, she is temporarily unable to affix her signature.” The document was attested by Dr P Balaji, Professor of Minimal Access Surgery, Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. It was also signed by Dr Babu K Abraham of Apollo Hospitals.

The bypoll to Thiruparankundram was announced after the death of sitting AIADMK legislator SM Seenivel. Jayalalithaa has been in Apollo hospital since September 22 for what her party said was fever and dehydration. The ruling party had said that the chief minister was doing “very well”, and will be back home soon.

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. Her ill health comes during the ongoing Cauvery water-sharing dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.