Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was buried at the MGR memorial complex on the Marina in Chennai on Monday evening. Thousands thronged the site and on the beach road.
Since the body reached the Rajaji Hall in the early hours from her residence in Poes Garden, people had been queuing up to catch a glimpse of the late leader.
State Ministers, AIADMK legislators, parliamentarians, party functionaries and her close aide Sasikala and her relatives were in attendance.
Leaders across party lines, film fraternity, industrialists and eminent persons were among those visited the Rajaji Hall and paid their last respects to her.
The updates:
Jayalalithaa is buried with gun salute by the Madras Regiment.
The casket containing her body is closed. It is lowered into the pit.
Sasikala and Jayalalithaa's nephew Deepak perform the formalities with the help of a priest.
The Tricolour was removed from Jayalallithaa's body.
Sasikala's husband M. Natarajan pays tribute.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mukul Wasnik, Su. Thhirunavukkarasar pay tributes.
Former Governor K. Rosaiah pays floral tributes.
Union Minister Venkaiah Nadu pays floral tributes. He is followed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvaam, Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha M. Thambidurai and Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker, P. Dhanapal.
Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao places wreath. The armed forces pay tribute.
Army, Navy and Air Force personnel carry Jayalalithaa's body and shift it to the sandalwood casket with "Puratchithalaivi Selvi J Jayalalithaa" engraved in English and Tamil.
Officials brief Sasikala about the arrangements for the burial.
Procession reaches MGR memorial.
Mr. Panneerselvam, his U.P. counterpart Akhilesh Yadav and Jayalalithaa's aide Sasikala are sitting in the truck hauling the hearse.
Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa and her husband are at the MGR memorial.
Ministers are leading the procession, followed by police personnel. Other party functionaries follow the vehicle.
Pallbearers place Jayalalithaa's body on the gun carriage.
Jayalalithaa's final procession making its way through Anna Salai. Photo: Rohit TK
The gun carriage carrying Jayalalithaa's body makes its way out from the Rajaji Hall through Anna Salai to the Marina.
Thousands line up along the roads leading to the MGR memorial.
Military personnel move Jayalalithaa's body to a gun carriage.
Leaders. including Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Azad, Mr. Thirunavukkarasar and MDMK chief Vaiko, reach the MGR memorial.
As Jayalalithaa's body is being shifted to a sandalwood casket, top partymen, including Ministers and other lawmakers, pay their last respects. Representatives from the three Services are being kept ready at the Marina.
President Pranab Mukherjee, accompanied by Ch. Vidayasag Rao, pays homage. He has a word with Sasikala and Mr. Panneerselvam.
Mr. Rahul Gandhi and Mr. Azad pay homage to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall.
A gun carriage and an ambulance are being brought in. Military men take charge. The funeral plans are slowly emerging. She will be buried at MGR memorial.
Public will be allowed to witness the last rites.
Kerala Governor, CM arrive
Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Chief Minster Oommen Chandy and Congress leader Ramesh Chennitala pay their last respects to Jayalalithaa.
A nice gesture from Kerala, with the Governor, Chief Minister and Opposition Leader coming together.
This is the route of the funeral procession: From Anna Salai to Wallajah Road, Chepauk, and then MGR memorial.
And this is what awaits.
Photo: V. Ganesan
MDMK leader Vaiko pays his homage amid commotion. A large number of celebrities including actors Simbu and Nayanthara also paid tributes.
With an endless stream of visitors, the organisers are having hard time in removing the body.
Meanwhile, DIPR says no other media outlets except Podhigai are allowed to cover the burial ceremony at the MGR memorial.
As the State and AIADMK party gets ready to begin the final journey of Jayalalithaa, police and party leaders are finding it tough to control the crowd.
As more people try to go near Jayalalithaa's body, party leaders are trying very hard to avoid the last-minute mourners and clear the way for the funeral procession.
According to TV reports, Jayalalithaa's last rites are unlikely to be telecasted as the channels were unable to obtain permission.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and Union Minister Nirmala Sitharam paid tributes to Jayalalithaa.
CPI leader D. Raja also paid his homage.
The mortal remains of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai on December 6, 2016.
Photo: G. Gnanavelmurugan
Kolar Gold Fields remembers Jayalalithaa
The Tamil population of KGF in Karnataka fondly remembers Jayalalithaa, even though she didn't visit the place even once.
They remember her particularly for her offering help when the Bharat Gold Mines Ltd (BGML) wounded mining operation in 2001.
“When I met Jayalalithaa in Chennai and explained the plight of the workers and their families following closure of mines, she arranged distribution of 25 kg rice to all the 3850 workers,” Mr. Bhaktavatsalam, a JD(S) leader recalls.
Though it was a one-time help, it stands testimony to the large heartedness of the late leader and her approach towards downtrodden people, Mr. Bhatavatsalam remarked.
The influence of AIADMK in KGF was so strong in the 1980s and 1990s that it represented thrice in Karnataka Assembly.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and A.P. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu pay their last respects to Jayalalithaa.
Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy pays his respects.
In a condolence message, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “I join millions of admirers of Jayalalithaji in mourning her sad and untimely demise. She was a charismatic leader who will be remembered forever as the beloved Amma by the people of Tamil Nadu. She was an outstanding leader who was passionately devoted to the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi places a wreath to pay his respects to Jayalalithaa. Consoles Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and Jayalalithaa’s close aide Sasikala.
Narendra Modi pays his last respects to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai.
Narendra Modi pays his last respects to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai
An inconsolable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam hugged Narendra Modi emotionally on a couple of occasions as the Prime Minister approached the casket containing Jayalalithaa's body to pay his last respects.
Narendra Modi pays his last respects to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai on Tuesday.
In a surprise deviation of protocol , Prime Minister Narendra Modi drives down from INS Adyar to Rajaji Hall in a car without beacon and National Flag.
Puducherry’s former Chief Minister Rangaswamy pay their last respects to Jayalalithaa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive at Rajaji Hall. He is expected to be flown in by a helicopter, sources say. He landed in Chennai about an hour ago.
The Chennai airport is gearing up to receive VVIPs, who will be attending Jayalalithaa's funeral. Police patrol vehicles assemble in large numbers, reports T. Madhvan .
Chief Ministers Naveen Patnaik (Odisha), Chandrababu Naidu (A.P.), Shivraj Singh Chouhan (M.P.), Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Pinarayi Vijayan (Kerala), Narayanaswamy (Puducherry) and Siddaramaiah (Karnataka) are attending the funeral.
Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena tweets: "Chief Minister Jayalalitha was a leader dearly loved by her people. I express my condolences to her loved ones and the people of Tamilnadu."
Tamil superstar Rajinikanth visits Rajaji Hall along with his family and paid homage to Jayalalithaa. He is accompanied by his wife, daughters and son-in-law Dhanush, who is an award-winning actor.
Actor Rajinikanth also lives in Poes Garden, which houses Jayalalithaa's house.
“There are some deaths which not only make us sad, but also rip our heart. Today is the day to talk about one such death.
“We have lost a spontaneous, workaholic leader who was always full of fresh ideas. We may have had difference of opinion on ideological matters but I can never deny the perfection of her thoughts. She was always firm on her arguments and never bowed down.
“She emerged a winner solely because of her political wisdom, administrative expertise and strength of character. History will always remember her as a strong female politician,” says West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Benrejee.
She has deputed two Trinamool MPs to attend the funeral.
Both Houses of Parliament observes silence and stand adjourned for the day in deference to the departed leader.
DMDK leader Vijayakant, DMK MP Kanimozhi and Congress spokesperson Khushbu pay their last respects Jayalalithaa.
“She's a dominant political personality from Tamil Nadu. Ms. Jayalalithaa was a very popular, dynamic leader of the poor and downtrodden. She had tremendous will power and had carved a special niche for herself in politics. She was referred to as the queen of Tamil cinema,” L.K. Advani says in his condolence message.
Public vent their anger at police personnel as they are made to wait for longer time, while VIPs are allowed inside the Rajaji Hall premises to pay their respects.
Some even tried to break open the barricade and fences, reports Zubeda Hamid .
Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy and his Cabinet colleagues offer floral tributes to the portrait of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at a special function on the premises of Puducherry Legislative Assembly. A holiday has been declared throughout the UT.
Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao places a wreath.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are among the top leaders to visit Chennai to pay respects to Jayalalithaa.
Madras High Court Chief Justice S.K. Kaul pays his tributes to Jayalalithaa.
VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan pays his last respects.
Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin pays tributes at Rajaji Hall. He offers glowing tributes to Jayalalithaa recalling her contribution as Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition. Whichever position she held, she stood out in an outstanding manner, he says.
Both Houses of Parliament will observe silence to pay respect to Jayalalithaa. A condolence statement will be read out by the Chairs of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Jayalalithaa was a Rajya Sabha MP between 1984 and 1989.
Floral tributes to Jayalalithaa at Delhi Tamil Sangam on Tuesday.
State funeral to be accorded to Jayalalithaa, Union Home Ministry says.
Tricolour flies half mast at Fort St. George, in Chennai on Tuesday.
BJP Tamil Nadu unit chief Tamilisai Soundararajan pays tributes to Jayalalithaa.
Tamilisai Soundararajan pays tributes to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall.
Mourners scale fence and break barricades to get into the Omandurar Estate premises. Police manage to disperse the crowd.
Government offices and educational institutions in Kerala and Bihar will remain shut on Tuesday as a mark of respect to Jayalalithaa.
In a press statement, the Kerala government declared a holiday on Tuesday for all government offices, including Public Sector Undertakings and educational institutions.
U.S. Ambassador to India, Richard R Verma, condoles the death of Jayalalithaa.
“Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will be remembered for her years of public service to Tamil Nadu and as a supporter of closer ties between the United States and India. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu during this time of sorrow,” he says in a statement.
Actor Vijay pays homage to Jayalalithaa.
The Centre declares one-day national mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast. And no ceremonial functions will be organised.
The Tamil Nadu government announces a holiday today for its offices under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
A Government Order (GO) said the notified public holiday will apply to all state government offices, undertakings, corporations and boards.
Crowd at Rajaji Hall
The new bus stand in Puducherry wears a deserted look on Tuesday. T: Singaravelou
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is flying to Chennai to pay homage to Jayalalithaa. He is scheduled to leave for Chennai after paying homage to Babasaheb Ambedkar at the Parliament House.
Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Pon. Radhakrishnan will represent the Centre at the funeral.
Women mourn Jayalalithaa's death, outside Rajaji Hall, where she is lying in state.
A long line of people near Rajaji Hall, where Jayalalithaa's body is lying in state.
Congress leader pays his last respects to Jayalalithaa. His mother Sulochana Sampath held various positions in the AIADMK including that of Women’s Wing secretary.
Congress leader EVKS Elangovan leaves after paying homage to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai on Tuesday. Photo: Sunitha Sekar
Mr. Elangovan is the son of E.V.K. Sampath, a Tamil Nadu Congress leader, who was the nephew of rationalist leader E.V. Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar.
The relatives of Sasikala clan, including Diwakaran, former MP T.T.V. Dinakaran, Mahadevan, Ilavarasi and her son Vivek are seen near Jayalalithaa's body.
Sasikala and her family members near Jayalalithaa's body at Rajaji Hall.
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu pays homage.
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu pays homage to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai on Tuesday.
In his condolence message Mr. Naidu says she lived for Tamil Nadu and will continue to live in the hearts of the state’s people forever.
“Felt very sad about the demise of Madam Selvi Jayalalitha CM of Tamil Nadu — had hopes till last movement that she will survive — doctors had made every possible attempt,” Mr. Naidu says after her demise.
“Knowing her serious condition rushed to Chennai from Parliament. Even at 7 p.m. after discussing with Dr Reddy had some hope,” the Urban Development Minister says.
She was a really revolutionary leader ‘Puratchi Thalaivi’ — unparalleled, he says.
“I always admired her courage, conviction, dynamism, wisdom — bold administration,” Mr. Naidu said.
“She used to be very affectionate towards me. She shared her last public function inauguration of Chennai metro line with me,” he says.
“I am so sad and felt that I lost my own sister. Pray to almighty to rest her soul in peace, my condolences to the people of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK cadre. She lived for Tamil Nadu. She will continue to live in the hearts of Tamil Nadu people forever,” he adds.
Sasikala's husband M. Natarajan pays homage to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall.
Also read: Sasikala — The surrogate sister who ‘took my mother’s place’
Also read: Natarajan — AIADMK's powerful mystery man, a.k.a. Sasikala's husband
Ministers sit on the stairs outside Rajaji Hall, where Jayalalithaa's body is kept for public viewing.
A large crowd of party cadres, AIADMK MLAs and public have come to Rajaji Hall to pay their last respects to Jayalalithaa.
Jayalalithaa's body at Rajaji Hall, Chennai on Tuesday.
Crowd gathering in front of Rajaji Hall. The motorcade carrying the mortal remains of Jayalalithaa reached the venue. Tricolour is draped on her body.
The area around Rajaji Hall was filled with AIADMK supporters.
Preparations being made next to MGR Samadhi at Marina for Jayalalithaa's cremation.
Cremation will be held at 4 pm today next to MGR Samadhi at Marina
Mild lathicharge reported outside Jayalalithaa's residence as supporters try to picket barricades.
Mortal remains of Jayalalithaa taken from Apollo Hospitals to Poes Garden in an ambulance.
Mortal remains of Jayalalithaa being taken away from Apollo Hospitals.
The neighbouring union territory of Puducherry announced a holiday for all government offices and educational institutions tomorrow as a mark of respect to Jayalalithaa.
O. Paneerselvam takes oath of office as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. A total of 31 Ministers take charge along with Mr. Panneerselvam. This is the third time he is helming the state, acting as a stop—gap arrangement on earlier both occasions when Jayalalithaa was convicted in two separate corruption cases in 2003 and 2014. Earlier, AIADMK MLAs elected him as their Legislature Party Leader, paving the way for his elevation as Chief Minister
"Deeply shocked and sad. People's Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu," says Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao. "Fought death valiantly with her indomitable willpower," he said.
The mortal remains of Ms. Jayalalithaa will be taken to Poes Garden first and after completion of rituals , will be taken to Rajaji Hall on Tuesday.
The government has announced three days holiday in lieu of the three day mourning period. Seven-day State mourning announced from today. National flag on all government buildings will be flown at half mast.
The press release from Apollo Hospitals confirming AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa's death.
Jayalalithaa passes away, says Apollo in an official statement.
Government Adviser Sheila Balakrishnan leaves Apollo Hospitals. Chennai city cops in riot gear stand guard at the main entrance of Apollo Hospital. Some party cadre attempted to get close to the hospital.
The Chennai City Police strengthened security across the city on Monday night after Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam exited Apollo Hospitals around 10.45 pm and headed towards the AIADMK party office for a meeting of the MLAs.
Around 11 p.m., all the four doctors from AIIMS left the hospital. A specially designed vehicle, that is generally used during election rallies also made its way into the Apollo Hospital premises. The party’s mouthpiece, Jaya TV alone was allowed inside the premises, alongwith their camera crew.
With an announcement expected, most party cadre who were present at Apollo, made their way to the party headquarters. Apollo Hospitals came under complete police protection. Around 10.45 p.m., as the police started making preparations for a convoy to move from Apollo Hospitals to Poes Garden, the entrance of Apollo Hospitals saw just policemen and nearly 200 media personnel.
The police also beefed up security outside Poes Garden. The DGP and ADGP, Law and Order were at Jayalalithaa’s residence overseeing security measures.
Jaya TV vehicle with cameraman goes inside Apollo Hospital premises. Tamil Nadu government ambulance seen at Apollo Hospitals premises.
Tamil Nadu government ambulance at Apollo Hospitals premises.
A few hundred policemen have completely taken over both inside and outside the hospital premises. Only a few party cadre seen near the hospital right now.
O.Panneerselvam arrives at AIADMK party headquarters for the AIADMK Legislative Party meeting
O. Panneerselvam, Finance Minister, arrives at AIADMK headquarters in Chennai.
Jayalalithaa is “responding” to the treatment being given by experts, who include a four-member AIIMS team, AIADMK said today. “The AIIMS team... they have come and are treating (Jayalalithaa). She is responding to it,” a spokesperson from the ruling party said tonight without elaborating. - PTI reports
A meeting of ruling AIADMK MLAs in Tamil Nadu which was expected to discuss key issues in the wake of the “grave” health situation of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, could not be held as planned and has since been postponed, party sources said tonight.
No deliberations took place despite the MLAs assembling at the AIADMK headquarters here.
“It could be later in the night or even tomorrow... all we can confirm is that the meeting has been postponed,” they added.
Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, who is in Chennai, briefs PM Narendra Modi on latest health condition of Jayalalithaa, reports PTI
Theatres cancel evening and night shows which may lead to a revenue loss for the industry which is reeling post demonetisation
After the frenzy triggered by the reports of Jayalalithaa's death, the focus has now shifted tp the AIADMK headquarters, where party MLAs are meeting.
A section of media announced that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has died, following which violence broke out at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. However, Apollo Hospitals released a fresh medical bulletin dispelling the reports of her death as rumour. "The Chief Minister continues to be on life support," the bulletin said.
Following this, some TV channels retracted their earlier reports of her ''death''. The AIADMK headquarters, which had hoisted the party flag in half mast, raised it to full mast after Apollo's bulletin.
Dr. Subbiah Viswanathan of the hospital confirmed that Apollo specialists and experts from the AIIMS were continuously monitoring Ms. Jayalalithaa's health very closely.
''Some TV channels had wrongly flashed about death of Ms. Jayalalithaa. This is totally baseless and false. They are advised to rectify this mistake based on this press release,'' the bulletin said.
Hundreds of party supporters were seen thronging the hospital.
Earlier, AIADMK leaders, MLAs and key executives, including the Chief Secretary, were present on the hospital premises.
Here are the updates:
Senior AIADMK leaders, Ministers, party functionaries and workers are coming to party office at Avvai Shanmugam Salai in Chennai by 8 p.m. Ministers M.C. Sampath, Ma foi Pandiarajan, Ramachandran, Saroja, and Valarmathi are some of the early attendees.
A heartbroken AIADMK cadre is seen outside the party's headquarters in Chennai on Monday.
The meeting is, probably for the first time, being held in the party headquarters in the absence of Ms. Jayalalithaa.
The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, has issued a memorandum, saying all police officials should be present on duty until further orders.
Hundreds of cadres lined up the streets around Apollo Hospitals since early Monday morning. Some of the bylanes leading to the hospital were blocked, while others were choked with traffic. Outpatients in private vehicles and ambulances struggled to get through Greams Lane as cadres, heavy police presence and media personnel occupied most of the road space.
The cadres got briefly emotional soon after the hospital released a bulletin stating the Chief Minister was "very critical."
A group of women loyalists who had come from Royapuram said they were waiting since late on Sunday night. "We just want her to get better and come back to her position as Chief Minister," they said.
The situation is extremely grave, but I can confirm that everything possible is being done to give her the best chance, says Richard Beale, the London-based doctor who was treating Ms. Jayalalithaa.
"Despite our best efforts, our beloved CM remains in a grave situation," Sangita Reddy, Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, tweeted. The same was later tweeted by Apollo Hospitals.
The latest bulletin, released around 12:30 p.m. said the Chief Minister is "very critical" and is being closely monitored by a team of experts.
AIADMK workers across the State are conducting prayers, seeking divine intervention for Ms. Jayalalithaa to recover.
A group of AIADMK cadres, including V.Senthil, AIADMK Junction branch secretary, ate ''mansoru'', a ritual where food is eaten on the floor, at the Vazhividu Vel Murugan Temple near Railway Junction in Tiruchi.
''Dhanvanthri japam'' was performed at Srirangam Sri Ranganathswamy Temple.
A day after the Chief Minister's health condition continued to remain critical, the Centre said there were adequate central forces available in the State.
Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju told reporters outside Parliament that the convention was that the Centre could not send forces on its own and a request has to come from the State government.
"The practice is if there is a situation in the State and the State find themselves inadequate to maintain the law and order situation, then the Centre is always willing to send extra forces. It is our primary duty to ensure that the State is being helped in all possible ways they require. But we cannot Intervene on our own," Mr. Rijiju said.
He avoided a reply when asked whether the State government had requested for Central forces anticipating law and order problem in the State.
Senior AIADMK leader Panruti S. Ramachandran on Monday said his leader Jayalalithaa "is improving." He, along with several Ministers, visited the hospital hours after she was moved back to the ICU after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief Su. Thirunavukarasar, who visited the hospital, said he met the Chief Secretary and Ministers.
Security up on Kerala-TN border
The Kerala police have tightened security in the border districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki and Palakkad.
The police also cordoned off certain areas in the famed Sabarimala temple, using ropes to ensure that no untoward incidents occur.
The KSRTC stopped playing buses to Tamil Nadu from 12.15 pm, operating services up to Parasalai in Kerala.
However, Tamil Nadu is operating its inter-state bus services.
AIADMK members die
Neelagandan (40), an AIADMK functionary of Samiyarpettai near Nellikuppam in Cuddalore district dies allegedly of cardiac arrest after he came to know about Jayalalithaa's health condition on TV, reports Rajesh Nair, our Cuddalore correspondent.
A 38-year-old AIADMK worker, Raju, residing at Manickampalayam Slum Board locality in Erode, died of heart attack due to shock over the chief minister's critical condition, reports V.S. Palaniappan.
AIADMK leaders arrive
Senior AIADMK leaders, including Panrutti. S. Ramachandran and D. Jayakumar, move inside the hospital.
A team of experts from Delhi are on their way to Chennai to assist with Ms. Jayalalithaa's treatment.
Union Health Minister J.P.Nadda tells journalists in New Delhi that the team comprised eminent cardiologists.
It is learnt that the team of Dr. Rajiv Narang, Dr.Anjan Trikha, Dr.G. C. Khilani (both of whom have consulted on the case earlier) and Dr. V. Devagourou - is on the way to the Apollo Hospitals.
Precautionary measures in place in Bengaluru
To prevent any untoward incident in Bengaluru, the police have enhanced security in the garden city.
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) officials said that all the 450 services to Tamil Nadu are being run only till Attibele. "It is a temporary measure and we are closely watching what is happening in Tamil Nadu," said a KSRTC official.
It's business as usual in Chennai
Security has been tightened around offices of political parties, including the DMK. Otherwise, it's business as usual in Chennai. Public transport, including bus and autorickshaws were plying. Shops and offices are open. Traffic is also normal.
Most of the schools and colleges are open in the city. University of Madras has dispelled rumours that examinations have been postponed. In fact, the university had not scheduled any examination for the day. While the semester exams have already ended three days back, the examination for Distance Education programmes are yet to begin.
The Registrar of Anna University clarified that Monday's examinations will be conducted as per schedule.
Political leaders cutting across party lines have wished Ms. Jayalalithaa a speedy recovery.
A source in Apollo Hospitals told The Hindu that all doctors have been asked to report for duty on Monday. It is, however, unclear that the instruction has got anything to do with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's health condition.
AIADMK leader and actor Sarath Kumar visits the hospital and informs the media that his leader will be fine soon.
Police on alert outside Apollo Hospitals, Chennai. Photo: Sangeetha Kandavel
More security deployed in and around Apollo Hospitals.
Police personnel getting ready for deployment, at Rajarathinam Stadium, Chennai. Photo: Rohit T.K.
As it rained, the crowd around the hospital seemed to disperse.
As news of Ms. Jayalalithaa’s health setback spread, many people cancelled journeys. Queues were seen at fuel stations, ATMs and shops.
Nine companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) of the CRPF have been put on stand-by to be immediately airlifted from various places in the country to Tamil Nadu, if needed, senior CRPF officials said. A RAF company comprises around 100 personnel.
All Anna University Examinations on December 5 will be conducted as per schedule, confirms University registrar.
Venkaiah Naidu Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation tweeted.
Very upsetting news about Hon.CM of Tamil Nadu, Selvi.Jayalalitha suffering a cardiac arrest. Prayers for her speedy recovery, tweeted Union Minister of State, Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman.
Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu said: Wishing Jayalalithaa Hon CM of TN a speedy recovery, Let her be healthy soon.
Got to know about Tamil Nadu CM #Jayalalithaa ji's health. Maharashtra prays for her speedy recovery !, tweeted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Totally worried about the health of Jayalalithaa Ji. Wishing and Praying for speedy recovery. Let's all pray for her.
Very concerned about the health of Jayalalitha Ji. Like my friends in Tamil Nadu, I am praying for her speedy recovery. May God bless her, tweeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The Director General of Police has ordered the mobilisation of all officers in the rank of Superintendent of Police as well as police personnel of other ranks (Enforcement, CB CID, Economic Offences Wing, Crime Wing). They have been asked to report to their respective District SPs/ Commissioner of Police at 7 am on Monday. They have been ordered to report in full uniform with their vehicles for law and order bandobast duty until further orders.
The entire police strength, including companies of the Armed Reserve and Tamil Nadu Special Police, was being mobilised as a precautionary measure. Though no formal request was made yet, companies of the Central Reserve Police Force in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring States were put on alert, the sources said.
DMK chief Karunanidhi and party treasurer M.K.Stalin wish the CM a speedy recovery.
Principal Secretary, Education Department, confirms that no announcement has been made so far on closure of schools on Monday
Scuffle between partymen and police; partymen attempt to enter hospital premises
Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, who is holding additional charge of Tamil Nadu, arrivs at the hospital. The Governor was in the hospital for a few minutes.
Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao at Apollo Hospitals on Sunday.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Ch. Vidyasagar Rao on Sunday evening and enquired about health of Ms. Jayalalithaa.
As of 11 pm, no request by Tamil Nadu to send Central forces, said a senior MHA official to The Hindu. Director General of CRPF K.Durga Prasad said that he has not received any instructions yet from the Home Ministry to rush to Chennai.
Following news of the Chief Minister's ill health, violence broke out at the hospital entrance on Sunday night. Housing Minister Udumalai Radhakrishnan, PWD Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Electricity Minister P. Thangamani, Transport Minister M.R. Vijaya Baskar were among those present at the hospital.
Several State Ministers, the Chief Secretary and top bureaucrats rushed to the hospital while Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police T.K. Rajendran who was in Madurai for a review meeting air-dashed to Chennai, advancing his scheduled trip. An emergency meeting was called at the police headquarters late on Sunday.
AIADMK cadre in tears in front of Apollo Hospitals in Chennai.
A late evening press released issued by Apollo Hospitals COO Subbiah Viswanathan said, the Chief Minister “suffered a cardiac arrest this evening. She is being treated and monitored by a team of experts including cardiologists, pulmonologist and the critical care specialists.”
