The mortal remains of the deceased Tamil Nadu chief minister and All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam head J Jayalalithaa were taken to Chennai’s historic Rajaji Hall on Tuesday morning. The 19th century hall is open to the public, and thousands of her followers have been visiting the memorial and to pay homage to the popular leader.
After her death was announced late Monday night, her body was first taken to her Poes Garden home, “Veda Nilayam”. It was then moved to Rajaji Hall for public viewing, where a large number of ministers and citizens gathered to see the casket.
The cremation will be held at 4 pm next to the MGR Memorial on Marina Beach. The memorial was built in memory of former chief minister MG Ramachandran, to whom Jayalalithaa was considered close.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other political leaders, including Union minister Venkaiah Naidu, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam Treasurer MK Stalin, paid their tributes at Rajaji Hall. Tamil actors Rajnikanth and Revathy also paid their respects to the leader.
Jayalalithaa was declared dead at 11.30 pm on Monday after suffering a cardiac arrest the previous day. She had been hospitalised on September 22 for “fever and dehydration”, and was believed to have recovered significantly when her health declined once again. O Panneerselvam, who had previously held the finance portfolio in the state, was sworn in as chief minister soon after her death.
A seven-day mourning period was announced in Tamil Nadu, and all schools and colleges will be closed for three days. The Centre declared a day of national mourning, and the Kerala government also announced a three-day mourning period.
Offices in Tamil Nadu have been closed on Tuesday, and both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day in her memory. The national flag will be flown at half mast and there will be no ceremonial government functions.
Several national leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, and President Pranab Mukherjee have offered their condolences. On Twitter, Modi said her death has “has left a huge void in Indian politics” and that “her concern for welfare of the poor, the women and marginalised will always be a source of inspiration”.
Massive police teams have swung into action across the state as thousands of mourners have taken to the streets.
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