AIADMK member P.R. Sundaram on Tuesday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into party chief and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa's death.
The central government in response said that it could order a probe only once the result of the probe instituted by Tamil Nadu government is out.
Sundaram, who is a part of the rebel group of the party headed by former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, raised the issue in Lok Sabha and demanded the probe.
Sundaram claimed that nobody was allowed to meet Jayalalithaa while she was hospitalised and noted that she was said to be suffering from dehydration and fever before it was "suddenly" announced that she had a heart attack which caused her death.
In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar agreed that it was an issue of concern.
"We are all sad by the sudden demise of the great leader. It's a matter of great concern to the house and the whole country," Kumar said.
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The minister said there was a "feeling" that the death occurred in "mysterious circumstances".
Jayalalithaa died on December 5 after prolonged hospitalisation, and a faction of party members have questioned the circumstances around her death.
After Jayalalithaa's death triggered a virtual split in the AIADMK, the party members in the Lok Sabha are divided into two factions: one backing Panneerselvam and the other aligned with Chief Minister E. Palaniswamy.
--IANS
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