DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s health has “declined overall”, said Chennai’s Kauvery Hospital on Tuesday.

The hospital attributed Karunanidhi’s illness to age, “altered liver functions and haematological parameters.” Karunanidhi will need “an extended period of hospitalisation” and he “continues to maintain his vital signs with active medical support”, it said.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi visited Karunanidhi on Tuesday and said the people of Tamil Nadu were with him. “I wanted to come and see Karunanidhi ji and stand with him. I met him. He is fine and stable,” he said before the hospital’s bulletin.

Karunanidhi, who was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for five times, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday after his blood pressure dipped.

After a “transient setback” in the clinical condition of Karunanidhi, his vital signs are normalizing with active medical support, reported IANS.

On July 26, Kauvery Hospital said Karunanidhi was being treated for fever due to urinary tract infection with intravenous antibiotics and fluids at his home here. However, after his blood pressure dipped, he was admitted to Kauvery Hospital.