Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday expressed his shock over the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and said that it was indeed a great loss to the people of Tamil Nadu and a void in political scenario of the state.
“In her passing, the state of Tamil Nadu has a great void which is difficult to fill in. It is a great loss to Tamil society,” Rao said.
He further said that the AIADMK supremo was regarded as Purachi Thalavi and a revolutionary leader in Tamil Nadu politics.
Lauding her political journey, Rao said, “It was both challenging and inspirational at a time when women entering politics was rare. Jayalalitha created a political history in contemporary Tamil Nadu politics by becoming the AIADMK’s general secretary and later on as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.”
Rao described Jayalalithaa as a unique person in Tamil Nadu politics for winning the assembly elections consecutively for two terms and forming the government, setting a record of sorts.
Meanwhile, tributes are being paid to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai where her mortal remains have been kept in the state.
Preparations are currently underway at MGR Memorial at Marina Beach, Chennai, for her last rites.
President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are travelling to Chennai to pay their last respects to the departed leader.
The Government of India has, as a mark of respect to Jayalalithaa announced that the national flag will fly at half-mast in capitals of all states and UTs.
The government has also decided to accord a state funeral to the departed leader which will take place at 4.30 p.m. in Chennai.
The 68-year old AIADMK supremo breathed her last at 11:30 p.m. at the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai.
Jayalalithaa, who had suffered a massive cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, was admitted to the hospital on September 22 following complaints of fever and dehydration.
====ANI