Jayalalithaa death: Vishwanathan Anand leads tributes to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

Jayalalitha passed away on Monday night after a prolonged illness that worsened post a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening. She was 68.

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Sasikala Natarajan (left) – a close friend of Jayalalithaa paid her respects at the Poes Garden home. (Source: AP)

Jayalalitha, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, breathed her last at the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai on Monday after an uncertainty filled 75 days in hospital during which she remained extremely unwell. To add to the confusion, the last 24 hours have been tense for everyone involved amid lack of clarity over her health as she was put in ICU after suffering cardiac arrest on Sunday.

‘Amma’ to people in Tamil Nadu and AIDMK supporters, she died at 68, after reportedly breathing her last at near midnight on Monday.

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Jayalalithaa went from being a prolific filmstar to becoming a four-term and six-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Her political career was riddled with controversy and had to step down twice – in 2001 and 2014 – in corruption related cases.

“It is with indescribable grief we announce the sad demise of our esteemed honourable chief minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchithalavi Amma at 11.30pm today,” a statement from the Apollo Hospitals had said. The state has announced a seven day’s mourning period with schools, colleges shut in the state for three days. The center has announced that she will be accorded a state funeral.

After her sad demise, the body was taken to her Poes Garden home where a huge crowd of grieving supporters had collected. Her funeral will take place at the Marina Beach in Chennai at 4.30 PM on Tuesday near memorial of her mentor MG Ramachandran or MGR.

With the news being confirmed and grief being felt across the country, sporting world too paid their respects to ‘Amma’.

WATCH | J.Jayalalithaa’s Life Journey

#Ripamma
Peace to her departed soul. Her last days were of suffering & pain . I have met her during my career. Her warmth & respect (1/3)

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) 6 December 2016

#Ripamma
to sportspersons was remarkable.In 2012 we were invited to meet her.We had arrived early & shown the waiting room . On (2/3)

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) 6 December 2016

#Ripamma
Knowing we had arrived she called us in at once.I was very touched by her gesture. She discussed a wide range of issues. (3/3)

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) 6 December 2016

#Ripamma
articulate & brave.She will be missed for her persona & charisma.As TN mourns its great daughter lets be together in its dark hour

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) 6 December 2016

2012. After winning the World Championship pic.twitter.com/Ivuw5x8cwf

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) 6 December 2016

In 2013. Chennai pic.twitter.com/wSz1CbUziE

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) 6 December 2016

Prayers for maintenance of peace in Tamil Nadu. Strength to near and dear ones.#RIPAmma pic.twitter.com/IWy74Ic1mK

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) 5 December 2016

Rest in peace #Jayalalithaa #AmmaForever…🙏🙏

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) 5 December 2016

Very sad to hear about Tamilnadu Chief minister Madam Jayalalitha’s demise..a very popular leader for a weaker section ..#RIPAmma

— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) 5 December 2016

You just had to admire her pluck and her tenacity. #Jayalalithaa was a remarkable woman.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 5 December 2016

Deeply saddened with the demise of a Jayalalitha ji entire nation will miss you may rest her soul in a peace #Rip Amma

— Umesh Yaadav (@y_umesh) 6 December 2016
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee are slated to be in attendance at her funeral proceedings.