Condolences pour in from countries over Jayalalithaas demise

Honourable Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was totally dedicated to the welfare of the people she represented and was dearly loved by her people. Hon.

During her life time, she did much to establish and maintain a strong sense of fellowship between India and Sri Lanka. “Her demise has left a vacuum in public life which can not be filled”, he said.

BJP President Amit Shah said: “Her work as the Chief Minister and love for the people of state will always be remembered”.

“Jayalalithaa began her political career as the AIADMK’s propaganda secretary; she went on to be elected to the Legislative Assembly and Rajya Sabha, served as an Opposition leader and then Chief Minister”. There will not be another personality like her, who contributed to both fields – Cinema and politics. In Indian political system, it is hard to fill the vacuum.

Earlier reports of her death, which were swiftly withdrawn, prompted scuffles between police and her supporters outside the private hospital.

While President Pranab Mukherjee was supposed to attend her funeral, his flight had to return after a mid-air snag.

The BJP leader said Panneerselvam also has no base in the party nor does Sasikala posses any political “acumen”.

Modi walked up with folded hands to the tricolour-draped body at the Rajaji Hall, where a sea of wailing mourners have gathered to view their leader one last time. The urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu also visited Chennai yesterday to get the update on her health.

Greatness of the iconic leader and actress ruled the people’s heart.

A huge posse of security personnel, including black cat commandos, were on alert as the Prime Minister passed through the huge crowd that had converged at the Rajaji Hall. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the venue, hundreds began to march towards the fleet of stairs to the VVIP entrance.

The body was taken from Rajaji Hall in Triplicane at around 4.30 pm in a flower-decked cortege.