Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leaders have appealed to party cadres and supporters to not incite violence amid rumours that party chief M Karunanidhi’s health has deteriorated.

“There was an unexpected setback in his health but after intense medical care, he’s normalising,” Karunanidhi’s son MK Stalin said, adding that a team of doctors is continuously monitoring him. “Appeal to cadres to not indulge in violence or disturb police or public,” ANI quoted Stalin as saying.

On Sunday, Kauvery Hospital in Chennai said that Karunanidhi’s “vital signs are normalising” after a “transient setback”. Security was increased outside the hospital as hundreds of supporters continued to gather.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami met Karunanidhi in the hospital on Monday and said that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief is recovering. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko and spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev also visited the ailing leader in the hospital.

MK Stalin issues statement over M Karunanidhi's health condition,states 'There was unexpected setback in his health but after intense medical care,he's normalising.Doctors' team is continuously monitoring him.Appeal to cadres to not indulge in violence or disturb police or public pic.twitter.com/1tsAoUF4mU — ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2018

Visuals of heavy security outside Kauvery Hospital in Chennai where DMK Chief M Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment. pic.twitter.com/6wQYmeEmlZ — ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2018

The former Tamil Nadu chief minister was admitted to the hospital after his blood pressure dropped on Friday. He was being treated for age-related ailments and a urinary tract infection. He is 94 years old.

On Thursday, doctors treating the veteran leader said his health was on a “slight decline”. But on Saturday, the hospital said his health condition was stable with “on going active medical support”.

Karunanidhi has been weak since October 2016 when he underwent a procedure to change his tracheostomy tube as part of an attempt to improve his breathing.

“Kalaignar [Karunanidhi] is fine and we are going home,” said MK Azhagiri, Karunanidhi’s elder son, according to Hindustan Times. Karunanidhi’s daughter M Kanimozhi also told the media that her father is fine.

Stalin, Azhagiri, Kanimozhi and another daughter Selvi returned home on Sunday night after gathering at the private hospital in Chennai.

Senior DMK leader and former Union minister A Raja told a large crowd standing outside the hospital that Karunanidhi was showing signs of improvement after a small setback, reported Hindustan Times.

“Don’t belive in rumours… no need to worry, Kalaignar is doing well,” Raja said, standing atop a police barricade placed near the hospital to control the crowd. He also appealed to cadres to maintain peace as supporters reportedly tried to break through the barricades.

Earlier on Sunday, the party had released photos of the veteran leader when Vice President Venkaiah Naidu visited him at the hospital.