Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa laid to rest

Tamil Nadu Cabinet resolves to recommend Bharat Ratna for Jayalalithaa

She was a constant in J Jayalalithaa's life and the closest anyone ever came to her. Be it AIADMK leader's personal needs, her Poes Garden household or accompanying her to public events, Sasikalaa Natarajan+ took care and rarely left Jayalalithaa's side.

Veda Nilayam, which till recently had been the nerve centre of politics, wore a deserted look, its huge gates half ajar and the white bungalow awash in a strange void.

Number 81, Veda Nilayam, Poes Garden, was an address that lent its name to a neighbourhood and a site that for 25 years was symbolic with the weight of political power.

J Jayalalithaa may be gone. But Poes Garden in Chennai continues to be the centre of gravity of AIADMK as well as the state administration. On Thursday, chief minister O Panneerselvam and other ministers visited Veda Nilayam, Jayalalithaa's residence, to meet Sasikalaa.

Illegal wealth case against J Jayalalithaa may have abated with her death, but the assets, including saris and slippers, are still in the custody of Karnataka courts.

"Several times, she would say, 'You tell me what to do. I will do it'," said C V Sheela, one of the nurses. "She smiled at us when we walked in, chatted with us, and, on most occasions, cooperated. When we were around, she made an effort to eat despite difficulties."

J Jayalalithaa has left an indelible mark on the Indian political landscape without compromising on her love for Tamil Nadu, its language and culture. She had a knack of presenting regional aspirations, making her the true torchbearer of regional pride at a pan India level. She implemented quite unusual but impeccable schemes for the common man of her state. She broke the glass ceiling of the male dominated arena of politics by changing the rules of the game. Today our nation is passing through an inflection point and at this juncture this 'Iron Lady' will be sorely missed. I, on behalf of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, pay heartfelt condolences to this great leader!



- Raj Thackeray,
President - Maharashtra Navnirman Sena

In death too, Jayalalithaa was in her favourite green colour saree.

When her body was taken from her Poes Garden residence early this morning to Rajaji Hall, it was draped in her trademark green saree, though with a red border.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> paid tributes to Selvi Jayalalithaa in Chennai today. <a href="https://t.co/JWPLsSHWCX">pic.twitter.com/JWPLsSHWCX</a></p> &mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/806129156073234432">December 6, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

DMK and AIADMK members may not have seen eye to eye in life, but death sometimes has the ability to smudge sharp lines. This was evident in the garlanded photos of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in street corners that are usually adorned by the rising sun - the DMK party symbol.

Over two tonne of flowers from several destinations were used by about 40 workers who worked for 10 hours to prepare the Army truck and gun carriage for the final journey of Jayalalithaa.


The flowers were of two varieties, one being the decorative kind, including cut flowers like zebra plant, asparagus and daisy and the other, more traditional varieties like rose and white marigold (Vellai samandi in Tamil).

Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik pays tribute to Amma with his sand art

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Tribute to &quot;The Iron Lady&quot; and iconic leader <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jaylalithaa?src=hash">#Jaylalithaa</a> ji through my sandart at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Puribeach?src=hash">#Puribeach</a> in Odisha .<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPAmma?src=hash">#RIPAmma</a> <a href="https://t.co/XRvqDjZEHd">pic.twitter.com/XRvqDjZEHd</a></p> &mdash; Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) <a href="https://twitter.com/sudarsansand/status/806124172258766848">December 6, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Amma's last rites being performed by her close aide, Sasikala.

AIADMK ministers, party members catch a last glimpse of Amma, pay their tributes.

She will be buried with full state honours.

Mortal remains of Jayalalithaa brought to MGR memorial (Marina Beach), to be buried shortly.

Jayalalithaa's mortal remains are put on a flower-decked cortege.

Crowd chants Puratchi Thalaivi Amma as procession exits Rajaji Hall and moves towards the burial site.

Burial of Jayalalithaa's mortal remains to take place at MGR memorial, Marina Beach.

President Pranab Mukherjee arrives for Jayalalithaa's last rites.

As the time for Jayalalithaa's final journey draws near, the crowd gets quieter.

Southern Railway is operating 20 special MRTS services on Tuesday which will touch Chepauk, the station closest to late former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's burial spot.

I feel proud, and privileged because I got the opportunity to attend two oath ceremonies of her as CM

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi arrives in Chennai for Jayalalithaa's last rites.

"I remember her as a fine co-star, when I worked with her in Izzat. I had been in touch with her in the past few years but not very regularly. I used to visit her many times in Chennai and she was a great host. She used to cook delicious South Indian food for us. She was a great human being. It's a sad to hear about her demise."

Former PM Manmohan Singh reaches Rajaji Hall in Chennai to pay his last respects to Jayalalithaa

Jayalalithaa has always had a love for Hyderabad, right from the days she started acting in the movies. The southern superstar who rose from being a bookworm to stardom, and then to being Amma, invested in the pearl city, one of her favourite getaway.

Jayalalithaa was people's CM. She was learned and compassionate, godmother for her people. I offer my condolences

Kiran Bedi on demise of Jayalalithaa

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi while expressing deep condolence at the demise of Jayalalithaa said the departed leader pioneered in setting up of all women police station to correct gender bias. Bedi further said Jayalalithaa introduced 30 per cent quota for women in government jobs.

Technical snag in the IAF plane carrying Pranab Mukherjee has been take care of. President to depart for Chennai again

Four-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa, 68, was not just a political icon but a role model for women across the state and country. She was a fearless leader who withstood adversities to rise to the top in TN's male-dominated politics.

Puducherry government announces 3-day state mourning from today

Jaya's death certificate

#jayalalithaa's death certificate. #Ripamma #AmmaRIP @SamayamTamil pic.twitter.com/WuyZmvgLEz

&mdash; Rajesh Kalra (@rajeshkalra) December 6, 2016

She struggled for poor people and took initiatives that other states followed. Tamil Nadu and whole country has lost a lot

Both Odisha and Maharashtra assemblies adjourned for the day after condolence motion over Jayalalithaa's demise

"Jayalalitha's demise is a big loss to country and Tamil Nadu's politics," Sharad Yadav says

"She used to sit next to me when we were in Rajya Sabha. She was probably only political leader other than George Fernandes and P V Narsimha Rao who could speak so many languages," said Sharad Yadav, JDU leader. (TOI's Neeraj Chauhan reports)

Leading a rump AIADMK after MGR's death, Jayalalithaa had lost the 1989 assembly election. Down and apparently wanting to opt out, she wrote a letter to the assembly Speaker saying she was resigning as MLA. She didn't send the letter, but, mysteriously enough, it made its way to the Speaker who said he was accepting the resignation. Enraged by this, Jayalalithaa+ dug in her heels and swept the polls in 1991. This was not the only time she chose to fight back and win when her opponents sought to corner her.

J Jayalalithaa was true fighter and great inspiration to many women leaders across country

India has lost one of its shining stars. Jayalalithaa ji made her mark both as artist and politician, deeply sad at her demise

Actor Sarath Kumar pays homage to Amma at Rajaji Hall

In her passing, the nation has lost a prominent leader distinguished parliamentarian and able leader

KSRTC buses to Tamil Nadu will not operate today as well

Not just Tamil Nadu but entire nation mourns the demise of Jayalalithaaji. She was a very good administrator

Both the Houses of Parliament adjoured

Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjoured today after for the day after obituary reference to Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa, who passed away last night in Chennai after a cardiac arrest

"All other battles she won, but perhaps everybody is to lose one battle and she has lost that," President Mukherjee says

Deeply sad at demise of #Jayalalithaa ji.I knew her for all these years. She first entered into RS when I was leader of the house: President pic.twitter.com/0sj4YZAy3M

&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) December 6, 2016

DMDK leader Vijayakant pays last respects

Two MPs from Trinamool Congress - Derek O' Brien and Kalyan Banerjee to attend Jaya's funeral

Two MPs from Trinamool Congress - Derek O' Brien and Kalyan Banerjee will attend the funeral of Jayalalitha, Mamata Banerjee tweeted. "Was very eager to be present but flight availability/timings from Kolkata not making it possible," she said on Twitter.

Sending our 2 MPs, Derek and Kalyan from Delhi on my behalf. #RIP 3/3

&mdash; Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 6, 2016

Sixteen AIADMK cadres tonsured their heads for the late CM Jayalalithaa in Rajapalayam.