Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was laid to rest in a sandalwood casket with full state honours next to her mentor Dr MG Ramachandran’s memorial at the Marina Beach in Chennai on Tuesday evening. The casket had her name Puratchithalaivi Selvi J Jayalalithaa inscribed on it in English and Tamil. Sasikala Natarajan, a confidante of Jayalalithaa, executed the last rites.
Thousands of her supporters thronged the ground for her last glimpse. The leaders of AIADMK, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and other political leaders paid homage to the Iron Lady of Tamil Nadu. It was an emotional adieu to Amma who ruled as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for almost 14 years. During her final journey to the funeral ground, people chanted ‘Long Live Amma’. Heavy security was deployed during the procession to avoid any chaos.
Jayalalithaa took her last breath at Apollo Hospital in Chennai at 11:30 pm on Monday after she had a cardiac arrest on Sunday. The 68-year-old leader was admitted in hospital since September 22 due to fever and dehydration. Post the news of her death, she was taken to her home in Poes Garden. In the wee hours of the day, she was brought to public auditorium Rajaji Hall for people to pay tribute. O Panneerselvam was appointed as the new chief minister of Tamil Nadu. The state has announced seven-day mourning. Schools and colleges will remain closed for three days.