Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa announced on Sunday that she is recovering well and appealed to the voters of the state and Puducherry to vote for AIADMK in the upcoming polls, in the first official statement to carry her signature, since she was admitted to hospital on September 22.

“I request the people of Tamil Nadu to vote for the AIADMK,” Jaya’s statement read. “Though I am unable to come in person and campaign there, my heart is out there.”

“What can harm me while you all love me? I am waiting to completely recover and restart my work for the people,” the statement added.

The Chief Minister thanked the Tamils for the love they showered on her. She was waiting to get back soon to routine official work after recovering fully, she said.

“I do not know rest; I can’t stop working also,” she said, reiterating that she exists solely for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu.

She regretted the loss of the lives of the cadre who had sacrificed their lives for her health and well-being. She desired that the cadre should work only for the growth of the party.

She has also encouraged party workers to work hard for a win in by-elections to four assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on November 19, saying, “Waiting to hear news of an election victory.”

Apollo Hospitals chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy said yesterday that the chief minister’s lung infection is now “fully under control and she can leave hospital whenever she feels fit.”

He said the hospital has fixed no date to discharge Ms Jayalalithaa. “Her discharge depends upon her. There is no fixed date. She has to reinvigorate herself to go back. What’s required is recuperation. The team is working towards that,” he said.

Ms Jayalalithaa, 68, was admitted to the hospital on September 22 and her party had initially said she was being treated for fever and dehydration and would be home soon. In subsequent health updates, as her stay in hospital stretched for weeks, doctors said she was suffering from a lung infection and was on respiratory support.