The day after Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa passed away following a cardiac arrest, her mortal remains were taken to Chennai's Rajaji Hall for the public to pay its last respects before her funeral later on Tuesday.
1. Thousands queued up to pay homage to their 'Puratchi Thalaivi Amma' (Revolutionary Leader Amma). Her body was draped in her favourite green sari and her long time confidante Sasikala Natarajan stayed constantly by her side.
2. Her funeral will take place at 4.30 pm at the Dr MGR Memorial site off Marina beach, the state government said in an official communication. She will be cremated with full state honours, and flags will be flown at half-mast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the funeral.
3. Sasikala and her family have stayed firmly besides Jayalalithaa's mortal remains, indicating that she might remain a power centre in the party. There is speculation that she may become general secretary of the AIADMK.
4. Meanwhile, Amma's aide O Panneerselvam was sworn in as Chief Minister at a sombre ceremony at the Raj Bhawan along with all the ministers in the erstwhile Jayalalithaa cabinet. Panneerselvam broke down while he was given oath of office by Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao at the Raj Bhavan soon after the news of Jayalalithaa's demise.
5. The state government notified 6 December as a public holiday, and also announced a three-day holiday for all educational institutions.
6. Security in the state has been beefed up ever since Jayalalithaa's health deteriorated, and state forces are keeping a close vigil following her demise. There have been no signs of violence or rioting yet, since the 68-year-old leader's passing.
7. Leaders across political parties condoled Jayalalithaa's death. PM Modi said her death had left a "huge void in Indian politics". "Her life was dedicated to the socio-economic transformation of Tamil Nadu and its people," said President of India Pranab Mukherjee.
8. All eyes are now on the future of Tamil politics, as the AIADMK has no second line of leadership. Jayalalithaa has no clear political heir and she has been the face of the party since 1991.
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