Mysuru: As fans of ailing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa offered special poojas at the Chamundeswari temple atop the Chamundi hills here on Monday, 80-year-old N.J. Vasudevan, who claims to be her step-brother, too is praying for her recovery.
The octogenarian, who lives on his old age pension of Rs 500 in a humble house in the remote Srirangarapuram village of T Narsipura taluk, has offered special poojas, abhishekam and archane to Lord Venugopalswamy at a temple and lit a lamp with ghee in his home to pray for her.
“I know her jaathaka, and as I have some knowledge of astrology I have checked it. There are chances of recovery. But it is left to God’s will,” Mr Vasudevan said.
Mr Vasudevan said, “She may not have responded to my communications over the years or accepted or helped me, but she considers the people of Tamil Nadu her family and she is “Amma” to them. She has contributed immensely to that state during her five terms as Chief Minister and I am proud of her.
“She is an able and revolutionary Chief Minister. There is no one like her in the entire country. Ms Jayalalithaa has to survive as she has more to contribute to the people of Tamil Nadu.”
Mr Vasudevan, who claims Ms Jayalalithaa is the daughter of his father, Jayaram’s second wife, Vedamma (Sandhya), has been glued to television since Sunday to get the latest updates on her health.
“Although I’d like to meet Ms Jayalalithaa, I doubt if her close aides, who have not allowed her to see me so far, will let me,” Mr Vasudevan said ruefully.
“Also, I have undergone angioplasty and so my health will not permit me to make the journey alone. And moreover I don’t have the money either. But if someone takes me, I'd like to go and see Ms Jayalalithaa,” Mr Vasudevan added.
