Chennai: DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, who had underwent a tracheostomy procedure last December, was today admitted to Kauvery Hospital at Alwarpet here and discharged a couple of hours later after he underwent a minor procedure.

A bulletin by hospital executive director S Aravindan said Karunandihi was admitted this morning for a minor procedure of change of PEG tube (percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy). Following this, there was the routine medical checkup and the 94-year-old leader was discharged and returned to his Gopalapuram residence.

His daughter Kanimozhi, MP, said Karunanidhi was fine after the procedure.

Karunanidhi has been keeping ill-health since last October and had never made a public appearance after his discharge from hospital on December 23 after he underwent the tracheostomy procedure for breathing problems.

While the DMK released photos of party’s working president MK Stalin seeking his blessings on his birthday in March, the party released a video on June 2 where Karunanidhi’s secretary was seen reading the birthday greetings sent to him by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

The former Chief Minister was first admitted to hospital in October last year for drug-induced allergy and discharged soon after. He was again re-admitted to the hospital on 15 December, following breathing problems and discharged on December 23.

Doctors have advised him complete rest and there is a restriction on visitors.