Tributes continue to pour in for Jayalalithaa

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Union ministers, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and various other top leaders have condoled Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's demise and paid glowing tributes to her.

DMK chief M Karunanidhi said there may have been many differences of opinion between the DMK and the AIADMK but there can be no doubts she "bravely" worked for her partymen's welfare. "Although she might have died at a young age (68), there is no doubt that her fame will remain forever."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Deeply saddened at the passing away of Jayalalithaa; her demise 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."

President Pranab Mukherjee said, "Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Ms Jayaram Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. One of India's most charismatic and popular leaders, Ms Jayalalithaa was a visionary and able administrator. Her life was dedicated to the socio-economic transformation of Tamil Nadu and its people. In her passing away, the nation has lost an icon who was loved and admired by millions. Her contribution to the progress and development of Tamil Nadu will be long remembered."

Vice President Hamid Ansari said, "An eminent public figure, a charismatic personality, she had immense influence over the political developments in Tamil Nadu as well as the national level. As Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, her contributions towards the economic development of the state and social welfare of the poorer segments will be long remembered and cherished. Her death is an irreparable loss to the people of India."

Congress President Sonia Gandhi said, "I am deeply grieved to learn the passing of Selvi J Jayalalithaa. Selvi Jayalalithaa lived her entire life with the same indomitable courage with which she battled her illness. As the leader of AIADMK and four-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, she had a unique and deep empathy with the needs and hopes of the people, and put in place policies that immeasurably improved their lives. Whether it was her welfare schemes for the rural and urban poor, her swift relief measures in the aftermath of tsunami, or her vision of Tamil Nadu's industrial development, her leadership qualities and administratively abilities were truly outstanding." 

Sonia hailed her as a "towering figure in our national and political life, who won admiration across the political spectrum for the intrepid spirit with which she faced the ups and downs of her life in politics."

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi said, "We lost a great leader today. Women, farmers, fishermen and the marginalised dreamt through her eyes. We will miss Jayalalithaaji, Amma to millions."

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "She was a powerful voice for the weaker sections of the society. She always worked for the benefit of the poor and needy. She has left an indelible mark in Tamil Nadu politics with her enduring legacy. Selvi Jayalalithaa was one of the most iconic political figures of India who had an enormous impact on the people of Tamil Nadu. I pay my heartfelt tributes to the departed soul. I also appeal to the people of Tamil Nadu to remain calm in this hour of grief."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "A popular, bold, efficient, people-friendly charismatic leader Amma, always at the heart of people. Big loss, I am shocked, saddened. I humbly urge the people of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK to face this big loss with courage and greatness. May she rest in peace."

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot said, "Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Tamil Nadu CM, Selvi Jayalalithaa. Iron Lady in politics so far, has left a vacuum."

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said, "Jayalalithaa has done a lot of good work for the development of Tamil Nadu and for the welfare of the people. I mourn her death personally and also on behalf of the people of the union territory."

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "Very sad to hear the demise of Amma. A very very popular leader. Aam aadmi's leader. May her soul rest in peace."

BJP President Amit Shah said, "Saddened by the demise of Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa ji. I extend my deepest condolences to her party and followers in this hour of grief."

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "Jayalalithaa was very popular leader, able administrator. Her connect with people was enormous and unique She created "Brand Amma", a different kind of pro poor politics. My heartfelt condolences."

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said he felt as if he had lost his sister and expressed his admiration for her courage, conviction, dynamism, wisdom and bold administration.

Congress veteran and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said, "She brought a hard uncompromising style to politics and governance that won praise and criticism. Jayalalithaa acquired large loyal following that equalled that of her mentor MGR."

Jayalalithaa was the "most dominant political personality of Tamil Nadu in the last 25 years," he said, adding, "AIADMK must carry on and provide a government for remaining over four years."

Kerala Governor P Sathasivam said, "In her we saw the perfect blending of the strong will of an able administrator and the compassion of a philanthropist. In her sad demise, we have lost a unique mother's touch that had brightened the lives of millions of people during the last three decades".

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described Jayalalithaa as an extraordinary politician with a rare political acumen and administrative skills which made her a distinct leader in Indian politics. "We do not have any other Chief Ministers in our country who have influenced people like this. Her passing away is not only a major loss to Tamil Nadu, but for the entire country," he said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Jayalalithaa was not only the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, but also a respected leader of the entire nation. She was the symbol of women's empowerment."

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said her death is a "great loss" to the Tamil society. He said the way Jayalalithaa emerged as the political heir to late M G Ramachandran from being an actress was "inspirational". "At a time when women entering politics was rare, Jayalalithaa created a political history in contemporary Tamil Nadu politics by becoming AIADMK's General Secretary and later as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu."

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said, "I am saddened by the demise of Jayalalithaaji. It was a shock for all of us. She had been a great, popular leader. I pay homage on behalf of the state of Goa. May her soul rest in peace."

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said she was the leader of the masses and had made immense contribution to the development and welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu. Patnaik described her as the 'Iron Lady' of Tamil Nadu.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, "Lovingly called Amma, who worked for the poor and the downtrodden she left behind a political legacy to cherish. I believe, leaving this mortal world will not diminish the love and affection showered on her by the people and her soul will remain immortal."

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said she made a special place in the heart of every citizen of southern state. Her death is a great loss to not just her party AIADMK, but also for all the people of Tamil Nadu, he said.

Describing Jayalalithaa as "people-friendly charismatic leader", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee her demise is a "big loss". "Popular, strong, bold, efficient, Amma. Always at the heart of people. I am shocked, saddened," Banerjee said in her message.

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said Jayalalithaa was a rare political personality who charted a distinct path of governance through her strong and able leadership. Bedi, in her letter to the Tamil Nadu government, described the late Chief Minister as a ‘multi faceted personality’. Jayalalithaa had been a symbol of women empowerment and always had her heart for the cause of women. People of Puducherry ‘shared the sorrow of the loss along with the people of Tamil Nadu’, she said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje tweeted: "Deeply saddened by the demise of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaaji. I join the nation in mourning the loss of an icon -- a leader of the masses."

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said Jayalalithaa was "the people's chief minister" and her death is "the biggest loss to the political process of the country". "It is a sad day for the entire country. Jayalalithaa was a great personality. I believe she was one of the most learned leaders of our country. The void she left is hard to fill," she said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Jayalalithaa was one of the greatest women leaders. "Very few people get the kind of love, affection and support she got from people. She's one of those few," he said in his condolence message.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu tweeted, "In deep anguish over the demise of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa, a long-time friend & a leader with indomitable spirit who is loved by all. My deepest condolences to her well-wishers & supporters. She will remain in our memories as leader who truly cared for people."

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, in his condolence message, expressed grief of losing ‘one of the most charismatic, influential and dedicated leaders ever produced by the country’. “Lovingly called Amma, who worked for the poor and the downtrodden she left behind a political legacy to cherish. I believe, leaving this mortal world will not diminish the love and affection showered on her by the people and her soul will remain immortal,” Khandu said.

Expressing deep grief over Jayalalithaa’s death, Gujarat Governor O P Kohli stated that she was a multi-talented human being and a popular leader of Tamil Nadu. Citizens will always remember her pro-people work, he said.

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi said Jayalalithaa worked for the welfare of women and the poor. She was a cultural personality and was a versatile actress before joining politics, he said.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehot said she was a true leader of the poor and the marginalised. Her death has left a void, which cannot be filled. “It is the end of an era in Indian politics and in Tamil Nadu’s life and society,” he said.

Yuvajana, Shramika, Rythu Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy said Jayalalithaa rode like a ‘colossus on the Dravidian political canvass’. He said she will be remembered for her resoluteness, fighting spirit and pro-poor policies. In her death, the country in general and Tamil Nadu in particular lost a great orator, able administrator and a mass leader.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “A very popular and dynamic leader, J Jayalalithaa was a long-serving chief minister, who served the people very passionately.” The country has lost a leader of immense potential, he says adding Jayalalithaa’s death is premature and untimely and is bound to create a void.

Telangana Rashra Samiti MP K Kavitha said Jayalalithaa was an inspiration to people including her and emerged stronger despite facing many challenges.

Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury described her as the most powerful chief minister in the country and said she will remain immortal.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray termed he an embodiment of regional pride and ‘iron lady’ of politics.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said the country had lost a shining star on political horizon in the passing away of Jayalalithaa.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar in a tweet said, ‘Deeply saddened to know about the passing away of Jayalalithaa. She will always be remembered as Amma of the masses.’

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar also expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Jayalalithaa.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and working president Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Jayalalithaa.

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang also condoled her death.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat visited Tamil Nadu House in Delhi to condole her death by garlanding her picture.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad condoled the demise of Jayalalithaa, terming it as a ‘huge setback’ for the democracy. ‘Under her charismatic leadership, Tamil Nadu witnessed fast social and economic transformation. She shared a deep emotional bonding with her followers. Her pro-people initiatives reflected her extra ordinary commitment for the well being of common people,’ Prasad said.

Photograph: AIADMK/Twitter