Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reached Chennai to pay his last respects to late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa who passed away last night after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Her mortal remains have been placed at the Rajaji hall in Chennai for public homage. Millions have gathered to pay tribute to the late AIADMK supremo. Her last rites will be performed on Tuesday around 4:30pm at Marina Beach.
Soon after the reports of her demise emerged last night, PM Modi along with other political leaders took to Twitter to express grief over her death.
“Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics. Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief,” PM Modi had tweeted.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also likely to attend her funeral. President Pranab Mukherjee will also travel to Chennai today to pay last respects to the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
After fighting a 75-day battle for life, she breathed her last at the Apollo Hospital on Monday. The 68-year-old leader died 24 hours after suffering a cardiac arrest. The Tamil Nadu government has declared a seven-day mourning. Schools and colleges in the state will be closed for three days. The central government has also declared a national mourning on Tuesday.
Her loyal aide O Panneerselvam has been made the new chief minister of the state. The senior AIADMK leader took oath as the next CM of Tamil in the presence of Governor C Vidyasagar Rao following a 2-minute silence.
