Tamil Nadu, Kerala and K'taka mourn Jaya's death, declare holiday

Chennai/Thiruvananthapuram/Bengaluru: Tamil Nadu government has announced on Tuesday as a holiday for its offices under the Negotiable Instruments Act, as a mark of respect to late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

A Government Order (GO) said the notified public holiday will apply to all state government offices, undertakings, corporations and boards.

"Under the Explanation to Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 read with Notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs No.20-25-26, Public-1, dated 8th June 1957 the Government of Tamil Nadu hereby declares that Tuesday, the 6th of December, 2016 as a public holiday as a mark of respect to the late Selvi J Jayalalithaa, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu," it said.

The day will be also treated as a paid holiday for all industrial employees on regular work charge and industrial establishments and the labour hired on daily wages, it said.

The government also issued another order declaring three days holidays for "all educational institutions" starting today.

The holidays were being declared "as a mark of respect" to the late leader, the GO said.

Kerala

Kerala government offices and educational institutions in Kerala will also remain shut today as a mark of respect to Jayalalithaa.

In a press statement, the government declared a holiday today for all government offices, including state owned Public Sector Undertakings and educational institutions.

Expressing his deep sorrow at the demise of Jayalalithaa who died last night, State Governor P Sathasivam said she was the greatest woman political leader in contemporary India.

"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".

In his condolence message, 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.

She had a special liking for Kerala and always strived to uphold and maintain relations, Vijayan said. "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.”

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala was among those who condoled her death.

Meanwhile, to prevent any untoward incidents, Kerala police strengthened security in the districts bordering Tamil Nadu with additional forces being deployed in the border areas of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki and Palakkad districts.

Karnataka

Karnataka government declared a day of state mourning as a mark of respect to AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah describing her as one of the "tallest personalities" in Tamil Nadu politics whose demise had caused an "irreparable loss."

Recollecting her joining AIADMK, where she served as propaganda secretary and Rajya Sabha member before becoming the Chief Minister, he said Jayalalithaa became one of the tallest personalities not merely in the Tamil Cinema, but also in Tamil Nadu Politics. "Now, it’s all a history."

"By acting in more than 140 films including Sri Shaila Mahathme, Chinnada Gombe, Amara Shilpi Jakanachari, Badukuva Daari, Mavana Magalu, Mane Aliya and Nanna Kartavya in Kannada and in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi movies, Jayalalithaa carved a niche for herself in the hearts and minds of people," Siddaramaiah said in his condolence message.

Noting that Jayalalithaa became the youngest chief minister of her state, he said, "During that time, the 'cradle baby scheme', which she implemented to counter female infanticide and save the girl child, was appreciated from all quarters."

He said the novel concepts of all women police station, women libraries and all women bank was effectively implemented by Jayalalithaa during her regime.

Pointing out Jayalalithaa's "toughness" in administration, "strict discipline" in party affairs, and pro-people popular schemes like Amma Canteen and Amma Water created "an ocean of admirers" for her, he said "all these have now created an environment in Tamil Nadu, which is not ready to accept that she is no more."

"Though Jayalalithaa has left this world and entered into the pages of history, she will be remembered forever in Tamil Nadu. May her soul rest in peace. Let the almighty give strength to her huge family of millions of admirers, who are inside and outside Tamil Nadu, to bear the irreparable loss, at this hour of grief," he added.

Siddaramaiah will be visiting Chennai by a special flight to pay his last respects to the departed leader.

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, who is in New Delhi, has condoled the death and will be visiting Chennai to pay his last respects, party sources said.

Former Chief Minister and BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa said there are hardly any parallels to Jayalalithaa's life in India's political history.