J Jayalalithaa Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, passed away on Monday night at 11.30 pm. She was 68. The Apollo Hospital management in a Press released issued 20 minutes past midnight announced the demise of the six-time Chief Minister. The mortal remains of the iconic Jayalalithaa were taken from Apollo Hospitals in Chennai to Veda Nilayam, her residence in Poes Garden, that is just three kms away, within minutes of the announcement.
Throughout Monday it was announced by the hospital authorities that Jayalalithaa’s condition remained critical and grave.
Meanwhile, Ottakkara Thevar Panneerselvam (65) took oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He was unanimously elected as the leader of the AIADMK legislature Party in a meeting of the party MlAs held at Chennai late on Monday night.
As the news of her death broke, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders expressed “heartfelt condolences” on the demise of Jayalalithaa.
“Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Jayalalithaa, the nation has lost an icon who was loved and admired by millions” said the President
“Deeply saddened’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi said and added that her demise had left a huge void in Indian politics. “Jayalalithaa ji’s connect with citizens, concern
for welfare of the poor, the women & marginalised will always be a source of inspiration. I will always cherish the innumerable occasions when I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaa ji. May her soul rest in peace,” tweeted the Prime Minister.
While Ansari said Jayalalithaa’s demise was an irreparable loss to the people of India, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted she was a powerful voice for the weaker sections of the society
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also said, “We lost a great leader today. Women, farmers, fishermen & the marginalised dreamt through her eyes. We will miss Jayalalithaa ji, Amma to millions.”
Soon after the demise of the Chief Minister, the State Government announced closure of all schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu for three days. “All education institutions in the State would be shut for three days from Tuesday till Thursday,” said Principal Secretary to the School Education Department Sabitha D.
Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospitals on September 22 for fever and dehydration. From that moment till the time she was taken out of the hospital, she was waging a 75-day long battle against various ailments, including diabetes and cardiac problems. A large crowd of AIADMK cadre had collected in front of the hospital to bid adieu to their beloved leader who was taken from the hospital to her residence in what is described as an unprecedented action.
Though the local Tamil News TV channels had reported by evening 5.30 pm that Jayalalithaa was more, the Apollo Hospitals authorities issued a release quelling such news and advised the channels to rectify the mistakes.
The suspense about the condition of the AIADMK supremo continued late into the evening. By this time the police had cordoned off the entire stretch between Apollo Hospitals and Veda Nilayam residence of Jayalalithaa at Poes Garden in Chennai. Heavy deployment of police was noted and all top Government officials had assembled at the hospital.
By 11.30 pm, Panneerselvam left the hospital for the AIADMK headquarters where the party MlAS were waiting. The cavalcade of the Chief Minister was assembled in front of the hospital. The Raj Bhavan, nearly 15 km away from the hospital was bustling with activity as officials were preparing for receiving the AIADMK team. “We do not have any meeting scheduled as of now. But if there is any development, we will definitely inform you,” said a senior Raj Bhavan official at 11.30 pm.
As Jayalalithaa was moved out from the hospital to her residence, a period of tumultuous political history dating back to early 1980 also came to an end. It was in 1980 Jayalalithaa entered politics as an ordinary worker of the AIADMK, a party formed by MG Ramachandran, her mentor and former lead man in Tamil films. Before her entry into politics, Jayalalithaa was the top heroin of Tamil movies from 1961 to 1980. An accomplished Bharatanatyam artiste and singer, Jayalalithaa was described as a director’s actress, as any character would synch well with her with élan and poise.