India’s filmstar politician Jayalalithaa dies after prolonged illness

Numerous mourners were poor women who had travelled long distances in intense heat to pay final respects to the revered former chief minister of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, who died late on Monday aged 68. While Naidu met the hospital authorities and spoke to senior leaders of Jayalalithaa’s ruling AIADMK, BJP sources said both politically and administratively, the effort in the next coming days would be help ensure continuity and stability in the State government.

“On behalf of the U.S., I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and the people of Tamil Nadu following her passing yesterday”, American Ambassador Richard Verma said.

The 68-year old AIADMK Chief passed away last night at Apollo Hospital.

Authorities in the southern state increased security around Chennai to prevent her anxious supporters from creating public disorder. “People of Delhi are also grieved over her death and I bring my condolences”, he said here. The subsidies that have been a result of Jayalalithaa’s policies as well as her continual implementation of schemes that can be seen as pro-poor had resonated well with lower classes and helped in overcoming the growing income disparity within India. She returned to office as chief minister on May 23 and a month later was re-elected in a by-election.

Jayalalithaa had appeared in 140 films, including Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada movies.

Jayalalitha is revered by many but seen by her critics as having created a cult of personality over the years.

Scuffles broke out on Mondy outside the Apollo hospital where Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa is on life support after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Sasikala’s husband R Natarajan was working as a Public Relations officer in Tamil Nadu government on the temporary basis. AIADMK flag was lowered at party headquarters in Royapettah though there was no official word on Jayalalithaa’s latest condition. People have been flocking into Rajaji Hall in Chennai where her body has been kept to say their last goodbyes to their Puratchi Thalaivi (Revolutionary Leader). But the Bharatiya Janata Party won a clear majority, catapulting Narendra Modi into the nation’s top job.

“She used to be very affectionate towards me”.

As she continued her studies in Bangalore while her mother stayed in Chennai for her work, Jayalalithaa craved to be with her own amma. “Let the almighty give strength to her huge family of millions of admirers, who are inside and outside Tamil Nadu, to bear the irreparable loss, at this hour of grief”, Siddaramaiah told PTI.

Panneerselvam had stepped into her shoes twice earlier when she was convicted in corruption cases.

Tamil Nadu’s history of descent into knee-jerk riots at the death or arrest of key leaders made security a primary concern in this climate.

Ms Jayalalithaa’s death has also plunged one of India’s most economically powerful states into a period of political uncertainty.