BSP supremo Mayawati mourns demise of Jayalalithaa

Amidst numerous rumours and speculations about the chief minister health and death over past 24 hours, her death was confirmed by Apollo Hospitals, where she had been receiving treatment for past three months. Other great Tamil leader who lost his life in December is Periyar E.V Ramasamy, an influencer to many existing political leaders including Karunanidhi and Mayawati. Jayalalita will be buried next to her mentor MG Ramachandran. Following an uncertainty-filled 75 days, Jayalalithaa departed after a prolonged illness that worsened post a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening.

Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa also offered his condolences, saying “she captured the hearts of India’s Tamil community”.

Natarajan also collected the national flag that was used to drape Jayalalithaa’s casket. The funeral scheduled to be held at Marnia beach in Tamil Nadu at 4:30 pm, is expected to be attended by several Chief Ministers and political leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will fly down here to pay their respects at Rajaji Hall, where her body has been kept. He paid his respects to Ms. Jayalalithaa. Some had even tried to break open the barricade and fences. Then, he took another flight.

A new set of Ministers, including Edappadi Palanisamy, Sellur K Raju and Vijaya Bhaskar, took oath along with the new Chief Minister. However, Maitreyan denied reports that Jayalalithaa’s aide had manipulated party legislators to ensure that they complied with a succession plan approved by her. She believed it was lucky for her.

Jayalalithaa’s loyalist and senior party leader, O Paneerselvam, was sworn in as new chief minister of the state at the governor’s house late in the night. She had always stiid by us in good and bad times. “She was the iron lady of Tamil Nadu who successfully steered the state on the path of progress and prosperity”, said Patnaik.

All necessary arrangements have been put in place for Jayalalithaa’s cremation. It is a relief for the administration.