Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa No More, Parliament Condoles Her death; Jaya To Be Accorded State Funeral, Mourning Declared

New Delhi/Chennai (PTI) Parliament today condoled the death of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa saying the country has lost a courageous and charismatic leader, before adjourning the proceedings for the day as a mark of respect for the departed soul.

After paying tributes to Jayalalithaa, who was also a Rajya Sabha member from 1984-89, members in both Houses stood in silence for a brief while.

68-year-old passed Jayalalithaa, a popular leader who showered the poor with populist programmes, away late last night in Chennai after being hospitalised for 75 days. She suffered a massive cardiac arrest on Sunday evening.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari said that in the passing away of Jayalalithaa, the country has lost a prominent leader, distinguished Parlimentarian and an able administrator.

Describing Jayalalithaa as a “charismatic personality”, Ansari said her contribution to economic development and deprived sections of the society would long be cherished. She also contributed immensely to Tamil, Telugu and Kannada film industries, he added.

“We deeply mourn her passing away,” Ansari said before adjourning the proceedings for the day.

Expressing grief at the passing away of Jayalalithaa, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the country has lost a highly popular, courageous and eminent public persona.

“Selvi Jayalalithaa was a true leader of the masses and her followers fondly called her ‘Amma’, meaning mother, and ‘Puratchi Thalaivi’ meaning a revolutionary leader,” Mahajan said.

A multi-faceted personality, she was the first woman Opposition leader in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and served as Chief Minister of the state for six terms.

Jayalalithaa was an accomplished classical dancer and has acted in over 140 Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films.

In Lok Sabha, newly elected BJP member Gyan Singh, representing Shahdol constituency in Madhya Pradesh, took oath before the proceedings were adjourned for the day.

The Centre also declared one-day State mourning across the country in view of the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and said the national flag will fly at half-mast in all state capitals including Delhi.

The central government also decided to accord state funeral to the departed leader. The funeral will take place at 4.30 PM today in Chennai.

“The Government of India today announced with profound sorrow the death of Selvi J. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, yesterday at Chennai.

“As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the Centre has decided that the national flag will fly half-mast in the capitals of all States/UTs, including Delhi and throughout the State of Tamil Nadu,” an official statement said.

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