Maharashtra adjourns House as mark of respect

Fadnavis later flew to Chennai to pay tributes to AIADMK supremo, who passed away last night. Besides Fadnavis, Congress leader Patangrao Kadam, Ajit Pawar of NCP, PWP’s Ganpatrao Deshmukh and state PWD Minister Eknath Shinde paid rich tributes to Jayalalithaa before the Assembly was adjourned after adopting a condolence motion. Recalling Jayalalithaa’s contributions in the fields of film and politics spread over four decades, Fadnavis said, “She was one of the most respected leaders in Tamil Nadu politics who earned the affectionate title of ‘Amma’ on account of her deep concern for the people.” 

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in a tweet said, “Deeply saddened to know about the passing away of smt Jaylalithaa. She will be always remembered as peoples’ amma whom except death nothing could dissuade from serving the weaker and poor.” 

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said the country had lost ‘a shining star on political horizon’ who had tremendous impact on Southern India and national politics. In a message, Thackeray said, “Like Shiv Sena, she was instrumental in bringing regional parties on national political scene. She never compromised on national interests for the cause of regional aspirations, Jaylalithaa was a true nationalist.” 

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray said Jayalalitha was an ‘embodiment of regional pride’. “She made her presence felt in the national politics, while taking pride in her own language, culture and region. She was a torch-bearer of how to cultivate your language and press for it at various fronts. Along with it, she served people very well,” the MNS chief said.