Jayalalithaa dies at 68

Tuesday, 6 December 2016 01:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa passed away at 68 late on Monday evening after failing to recover from a cardiac arrest she suffered on Sunday.

Her death was confirmed by Apollo Hospitals, who had earlier denied media reports of her passing away. The hospital announced that Jayalalithaa passed away at 11.30 pm. “It is with indescribable grief that we announce the sad demise of esteemed CM,” read the statement from the management. Her body is expected to be moved to her residence soon. The Chief Minister’s convoy has been put on standby and there was a huge deployment of police on the roads leading to Poes Garden. Tamil Nadu police also took over control of Apollo Hospitals. Three days of mourning has been announced by the state government. Schools, colleges, government offices and most shops to remain shut in Tamil Nadu. Jayalalithaa has been receiving treatment at the hospital since September 22. She made a brief statement after AIADMK won the recently concluded bypolls. Senior AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam chaired a meeting of party MLAs at the AIADMK headquarters in Royapettah. The MLAs reportedly gathered to ratify a succession plan. Tamil Nadu Speaker Dhanapal is expected to meet Governor Vidyasagar Rao. Panneerselvam is likely to be named as interim chief minister. (The Indian Express)

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