Jaya likely to attend funeral with other CMs

While the mortal remains of former President, A P J Abdul Kalam would be flown from New Delhi to Ram eswaram on Wednesday afternoon, speculation was rife that chief minister J Jayala lithaa was likely to take part in the funeral slated for Thursday .
Several leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers and chief min isters of a few states are expected to attend the ceremony .There is, however, no official announce ment yet about Jayalalithaa's participation. The chief minister had skipped several public functions and also stayed away from the Secretariat for a brief period after taking oath as MLA on July 4, a week after winning the RK Nagar bypoll. Political leaders cutting across party lines, including PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss and TMC chief G K Vasan, are expected to take part.
“Chief ministers of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, and a CM representative from Odisha have confirmed their participation in the funeral ceremony .But we are not sure about the TN CM's participation yet,“ a government official said. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar and urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu will accompany the mortal re mains of the former President from New Delhi to Rameswaram on Wednesday .
In a statement, Jayalalithaa announced that party events this week would be put off as a mark of respect to Kalam. The AIADMK chief said she was in a state of shock.
Given the admiration she had for Kalam, the AIADMK chief might leave for Rameswaram on Thursday morning to pay last respects. On Tuesday , AIADMK MPs paid respects to Kalam's body at his Rajaji Marg residence in New Delhi after Parliament was adjourned. State cabinet ministers have been directed to attend the funeral. CM security wing officials told TOI that they had not received any official communication about Jayalalithaa travelling to Rameswaram.