Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu CM, dies at 68

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayaraman Jayalalithaa, popularly addressed as "Amma" by her supporters and party cadres, died of cardiac arrest at 11.30 p.m. at the Apollo Hospitals here on Monday evening after a prolonged illness. She was 68. Announcing her demise at 12.13 a.m., Apollo Hospitals in a statement said, "The Chief Minister suffered a massive cardiac arrest on the evening of the December 4, even while our intensivist was in her room. She was immediately administered resuscitation (CPR), and provided ECMO support within the hour, which 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 p.m. today." Her body will be kept at Rajaji Hall for people to pay last respects. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has declared three-day holiday for schools and colleges. President Pranab Mukherjee tweeted, "Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Ms. Jayaram Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. One of India's most charismatic & popular leaders, Ms. Jayalalithaa was a visionary & 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." Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics. Jayalalithaa ji's connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women & marginalized will always be a source of inspiration. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief." Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, "Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Tamil Nadu CM,Selvi Jayalalithaa. She was a powerful voice for the weaker sections of the society. 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." Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah tweeted, "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." Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's official Twitter handle 'OfficeOfRG' tweeted, "We lost a great leader today.Women,farmers,fishermen &the marginalised dreamt through her eyes. We will miss Jayalalithaa ji, Amma to millions." The Chief Minister, who was undergoing treatment since September 22, was born on February 24, 1948, in Mysore (now Karnataka). Meanwhile, there was ruckus outside the hospital as soon as the news broke with AIADMK cadres pelting stones at the police personnel and attempting to overturn the barricades. The police had to resort to baton charge to bring the situation under control. Nearly 600 Tamil Nadu police personnel, who have been deployed outside the hospital, are making all efforts to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. The AIADMK flag has been lowered at the party's headquarter in 226, Avvai Shanmugam Salai, Royapettah, here. Marking her entry in the field of politics in 1982, the actress-turned politician gave the credit to MG Ramachandran, the founder of ADMK, for introducing her to the political arena. Becoming the propaganda secretary of the party in 1983, Jayalalithaa also retained her position as the Rajya Sabha member for five years from 1984-89. After the death of Ramachandran in 1987, the ADMK split into two factions: one in favour of Ramachandran's widow Janaki and the other favouring Jayalalithaa. Janaki took over as the Chief Minister in January 1988, but the government lasted only for 24 days. However, the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, using Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, imposed President's rule in the state and Janaki's government was dismissed. In 1989, Jayalalithaa became the first woman to be elected the Leader of Opposition following fresh polls. It is the same year when the two factions of the ADMK merged band unanimously accepted Jayalalithaa as their leader. The ADMK-Indian National Congress (INC) alliance won the 1991 elections, making Jayalalithaa the first woman and youngest Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Having served as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for six times, the latest from May 23, 2016, it was only twice that she lost power, owing to several allegations of scams and corruption against her. The second loss occurred in 2014, when she was disqualified as the Chief Minister due to the disproportionate assets case filed against her by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy in 1996, while she was serving her first tenure as the Chief Minister. Jayalalithaa had always been a popular personality down in the South, with her followers addressing her as 'Amma'.