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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, a popular leader who pioneered pro-poor programmes and remained a pole for three decades, died here tonight leaving a big void in the state politcs. The 67-year-old leader, who suffered a massive cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, passed away at 11:30 pm on Monday tonight, after battling for life for 75 days, the Apollo Hospitals said in a statement. Two hours after the announcement of her death, in a swift political transition, her loyalist O Panneerselvam was sworn in as Chief Minister at a sombre ceremony at the Raj Bhawan along with all the ministers in the erstwhile Jayalalithaa Cabinet. Panneerselvam had stepped into her shoes twice earlier when she was convicted in corruption cases. As Finance Minister, he was given charge of the portfolios held by Jayalalithaa after her admission to Apollo Hospitals on 22 September. In his third stint in the top office, O Panneerselvam was today sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu hours after his predecessor and party supremo J Jayalalithaa passed away after a prolonged illness. A grim-faced Panneerselvam, who was also seen sporting a beard, was sworn in around 1.15 AM by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao at the Raj Bhavan amidst a scene of gloom. After he took oath of office, a total of 31 Ministers, all of them members of the previous Jayalalithaa cabinet, took oath in a simultaneous swearing-in. Panneerselvam was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Rao, who air-dashed here from Mumbai yesterday after Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest. Panneerselvam (65), often hailed as Jayalalithaa’s ‘Man Friday’, took oath in the name of God. Even as her death was announced, the AIADMK MLAs met at the party headquarters to elect Panneerselvam as the successor to Jayalalithaa. Jayalalithaa, who scored a historic win in the assembly elections in the state little over six months ago, was admitted to Apollo Hospitals on September 22 with fever and dehydration but she could never recover. A tinsel heroine, who inherited the legacy of her mentor late MGR, had entered politics in the early 1980s as the propaganda secretary of AIADMK and was made the incharge of the noon meal scheme undertaken by the MGR government. Born in a Brahmin family, Jayalalithaa emerged as a fiesty leader in a state where forces of social justice had thrown up an anti-Brahmin political movement even before independence. She practised politics on her own terms and was one of the two poles in the state for nearly 30 years fighting the DMK headed by redoubtable M Karunanidhi. Only hours earlier in the evening, the hospital had denied reports that Jayalalithaa had died as “baseless and false” when TV channels said she was no more. “It is with indescribable grief, we announce the sad demise of our esteemed Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi Amma at 11.30 PM today,” Apollo Hospitals said in a statement. “Our honourable Chief Minister Selvi J Jayalalithaa was admitted on 22.9.2016 with complaints of fever and dehydration and underlying co-morbidities. The honourable Chief Minister responded well to the multi-disciplinary care in the Critical Care Unit and subsequently recovered substantially to being able to take food orally. “On this basis, honourable Chief Minister was shifted from the Advanced Critical Care Unit to the High Dependency Unit, where her health and vitals continued to improve under the close monitoring by our expert panel of specialists.” Unfortunately, the hospital release said, the Chief Minister suffered a massive cardiac arrest on the evening of December 4 even while the intensivist was in her room. The Chief Minister was immediately administered rescusitation (CPR) and provided ECMO support within the hour. ECMO is the most advanced treatment currently available internationally. Every possible clinical attempt was made to sustain her revival. However, despite our best efforts, the Chief Minister’s underlying conditions rendered her unable to recover and she passed away at 11:30 pm on Monday, the release said. A five-time Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa pioneered a string of social sector schemes like ‘cradle to baby scheme’ aimed at fighting the curse of female foeticide, free gold coins for those who begot girl child. She also opened a series of public welfare schemes under brand Amma, as she was popularly called, like ‘Amma canteens’ to low-priced food to the urban poor. There were similar schemes for the poor like ‘Amma salt’ ‘Amma water’ and ‘Amma medicines’. Jayalalithaa also attracted investment, especially from abroad, in sectors like automobile and IT. A host of leaders including President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, vice president Rahul, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and a number of film personalities expressed grief over her death. Modi, who shared good political equation with Jayalalisthaa said he was deeply saddened at her passing away which has left a “huge void” in Indian politics. “I will always cherish the innumerable occasions when I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaa Ji. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.
Jayalalithaa's funeral as it happened: Former Tamil Nadu CM laid to rest next to MG Ramachandran at Marina beach
Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa was on Monday said to be critical after she suffered a cardiac arrest in the hospital where she was admitted over two months ago.
 "Jayalalithaa's funeral as it happened: Former Tamil Nadu CM laid to rest next to MG Ramachandran at Marina beach")
Jayalalithaa was a charismatic leader, people’s CM: Taminl Nadu Governor
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao condoled the death of J Jayalalithaa describing her a charismatic leader and people’s chief Minister.
“I am deeply shocked and grieved to hear about the sad demise of Selvi J Jayalalithaa, the charismatic leader and the people’s Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” Rao said.
AIADMK tweets ‘Puratchi Thalaivi Amma now rests at Chennai Marina Beach forever.’
Puratchi Thalaivi Amma now rests at Chennai Marina Beach forever 🙏
— AIADMK - -SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) December 6, 2016
Why Jayalalithaa’s funeral procession was taken out at 4:30 pm?
According to a report by India Today, Jayalalithaa was a firm believer in astrology, citing the fact that she added an extra ‘a’ at the end of her name in compliance with the numerology principles. The report further states that the time of starting the funeral proceedings was chosen to be after 4:30 so as to avoid the Rahu Kala, considered inauspicious in astrology.
The report further says that Jayalalitha considered the numbers 5 and 7 to be auspicious for herself. Incidentally, she breathed her last on the 5th, just half an hour before the date changed to 6 December.
Emotions run high as thousands bid farewell to Amma; Sasikala remains calm
Thousands of people bid a tearful goodbye to their beloved leader at Marina beach, as she was laid to rest next to her political mentor, MGR.
However, Sasikala Natarajan, who is considered her close confidante and has been with her right till her last days, managed to maintain her calm as she performed the last rights of the popular leader.
Condolences pour in from countries over Jayalalithaa’s demise
World leaders, on Monday, condoled the death of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s death.
Apart from leaders from countries that have a significant Tamil population like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma also expressed grief over the AIADMK leader’s demise.
Jayalalithaa laid to rest
The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK leader, revered by many, has finally been laid to rest next to her political mentor MG Ramachandran, off the Marina beach in Chennai.
Defence Personnel remove National Flag from Jayalaithaa’s body
National Flag that was draped around the body of Jayalalithaa has been removed, prior to the burial, and has been given to her close aide, Sasikala Natarajan
TN Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao lays wreathe on Jayalalithaa’s coffin
The Tamil Nadu Governor lead the state funeral of Jayalalithaa and placed a wreathe on her casket on behalf of the state.
Funeral Procession reaches MGR Memorial
The funeral procession has reached Marina Beach and the military personnel are now bringing the body down from the vehicle. The former Tamil Nadu CM will be then laid to rest in a sandalwood casket, next to her political mentor MG Ramachandran.
President Mukherjee, Rahul Gandhi wait at MGR Memorial for the funeral processions
According to CNN-News18, President Pranab Mukherjee, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad are waiting at the MGR memorial where the former Tamil Nadu CM will finally be laid to rest.
Jayalalithaa will be laid to rest next to MG Ramachandran
J Jayalalithaa will be laid to rest next to her political mentor, and long time co-star in Tamil Cinema, MG Ramachandran near the MGR Memorial, off the Marina beach.
Visuals from J Jayalalithaa’s final journey
Millions throng streets of Chennai to pay homage to Jayalalithaa
Preparation of last rites nears completion
Preparations for the final ceremony of Jayalalithaa’s burial are near completion as soldiers from all three wings of the armed forces are being drawn in to accord her a state funeral.
Business establishments on the way of Jayalalithaa’s final journey remain shut
Business establishments on both sides of the road on the route from Rajaji Hall to Marina Beach are closed as millions of people throng the streets to catch a final glimpse of Jayalalithaa.
AIADMK MLAs lead the funeral procession on foot
The reverence that the former Tamil Nadu chief minister earned from her supporters was underlined by the fact that AIADMK MLAs, clad in white, led her final journey on foot from Rajaji Hall to Marina Beach.
Emotional AIADMK supporters are also showering flower petals from truck tops and waving party flags as they accompany their beloved leader on her final journey.
Last rites of #jayalalithaa to take place at Marina Beach in Chennai shortly, funeral procession underway. pic.twitter.com/Sm33wGczbV
— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2016
Jayaalalithaa’s funeral shortly at Marina Beach
Jayalalithaa’s funeral procession will shortly reach at Marina beach, trudging through the 2 km long journey, as millions of her supporters dot the streets.
According to the ground reporters of CNN-News18, people not only from Tamil Nadu, but from as far as Odisha, Jharkhand and even Bihar have arrived to pay their last respects to the departed leader.
Visuals from the funeral procession of Jayalalithaa
Last rites of #jayalalithaa to take place at Marina Beach in Chennai shortly, funeral procession underway. pic.twitter.com/Sm33wGczbV
— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2016
Jayalalithaa a symbol of women empowerment: Kiran Bedi
Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said on Tuesday that Jayalalithaa was a rare political personality who charted a distinct path of governance through her strong and able leadership.
Expressing her condolence over the demise of Jayalalithaa, Bedi in her letter to Tamil Nadu Government described the late Chief Minister as a “multi faceted personality”, who carved her own niche and became an emblem of women empowerment.
Watch: Visuals from the funeral procession of Jayalalithaa
Credit: ANI
#WATCH: Funeral procession of #Jayalalithaa underway, to be buried at MGR memorial, Marina Beach in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/8G87nNsiix
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 6, 2016
Jayalalithaa will be accorded full state funeral
The Madras regiment of the Indian Army will offer gun salute with 5 rounds of fire from a 12 member team to pay tribute to the departed leader, according to India Today. The Indian flag will be flown at half mast and the Navy Band has also reached the site of her burial.
Jayalalithaa’s final journey begins
Chennai: Burial of #Jayalalithaa's mortal remains to take place at MGR memorial, Marina Beach. Funeral procession underway. pic.twitter.com/KmtYihMls9
— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2016
Pannerselvam, Sasikala board vehicle carrying Jayalalithaa’s mortal remains
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, her close aide Sasikala are part of the select few who have boarded the gun carriage carrying her mortal remains.
Chennai stands still as the swelling crowd soaked in emotions try to catch a glimpse of ‘Amma’
Be it roof-tops or tree-tops or the roads leading to the Marina beach where are final place of rest would be, people from all walks of life are struggling to have a final glimpse of their beloved ‘Amma’. Millions have amassed near the MGR memorial to capture the moments which would soon be history.
Jayalalithaa’s funeral procession starts from Rajaji Hall
Jayalalithaa’s mortal remains are draped in the tricolor and have been placed in a glass casket, which is now being moved under the care of Indian Army personnel to the site of her burial. The body will be carried in an Army vehicle, for the last journey.
President Pranab Mukherjee pays last tribute to Jayalalithaa
President Pranab Mukherjee has reached Chennai to pay his tribute to Jayalalithaa, according to Times Now.
Earlier in the day, the President was delayed in his visit as the IAF plane carrying him had to return to Delhi from mid-way due to a technical snag. The aircraft had reached Agra when the snag was detected.
Jayalalithaa gave instructions about her last rites?
According to a report by Times Now, just a few days before she passed away, Jayalalithaa had given clear instructions about her last rites to her close confidantes. Her funeral is, reportedly being carried out, precisely as per the wishes of the departed leader.
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