The Apollo Hospitals in Chennai said in an official statement that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa passed away at 11:30 pm on Monday. She had suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening. She had been undergoing treatment at the hospital since September 22, when the AIADMK chief had been admitted there after complaining of fever and dehydration.
It emerged later that former chief minister O Panneerselvam had been elected leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party, clearing his path to be the next chief minister. He later took oath at the Raj Bhavan.
3:15 am IST: Jayalalithaa's last rites will be performed on Tuesday itself. The venue is Marina beach in Chennai, and quite near where her mentor MG Ramachandran was cremated. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to attend.
3 pm: The scenes at Poes Garden got a bit unruly, with AIADMK supporters breaking barriers. The police, in order to control the mob, have had to resort to lathi-charge.
Chennai: AIADMK workers break barricades, police resort to lathi charge outside #jayalalithaa 's residence pic.twitter.com/moYSuUjfnS
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016
2:45 am IST: It seems the AIADMK workers and supporters of Jayalalithaa are unable to control themselves, and have scuffled with the policemen on duty.
Scuffle between Police and AIADMK supporters outside #jayalalithaa 's residence in Chennai pic.twitter.com/jcy8zwmsMe
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016
2:40 am IST: The emotions among the people aare becoming more and more apprent as the caavalcade carrying Jayalalithaa's mortal remains approaches Poes Garden. People are disconsolate for their Amma!
2:30 am IST: The mortal remains of Jayalalithaa are being moved to her official residence of Poes Garden. As the ambulance with her body moves out, AIADMK workers can't seem to be able to contain their emotions, wailing out to their Amma.
Chennai: #Jayalalithaa's mortal remains being taken from Apollo hospital to her residence Poes Garden pic.twitter.com/o8i1Gr30mE
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016
2:20 am IST: It says a lot when a former state chief minister and a politician from a rival party eulogises you, like MK Stalin has done for J Jayalalithaa.
Deeply saddened by the demise of our CM Selvi Jayalalithaa. My deepest condolences to the party cadres & well wishers in this hour of grief pic.twitter.com/oe26Itv1OF
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 5, 2016
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu, who visited Jayalalithaa in hospital, has also expressed condolences.
Pray almighty to rest her soul in peace, my condolences to the people of Tamil Nadu and AIDMK cadre
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) December 5, 2016
2:15 am IST: All AIADMK MLAs have now joined Panneerselvam at the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. They are expected to accompany Jayalalithaa's body to her residence at Poes Garden.
2:12 am IST: West Bengal Chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has now eulogised Jayalalithaa.
Popular,strong,bold,efficient, people- friendly,charismatic leader,
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 5, 2016
Amma.Always at the heart of people. Big loss.I am shocked,saddened 1/2
2:10 am IST: Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has condoled Jayalalithaa's passing away.
Deeply saddened on the demise of CM of Tamilnadu Selvi Jaylalithaa. A great leader passes away. True Puratchi Thalaivi. Condolence.
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) December 5, 2016
2 am IST: Andhra Pradesh Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed grief over the passing away of Jayalalithaa.
In deep anguish over the demise of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa, a long-time friend & a leader with indomitable spirit who is loved by all.1/2
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) December 5, 2016
1:55 am IST: Panneerselvam has arrived at Apollo Hospitals, where Jayalalithaa's body is kept. The chief minister's convoy of cars has been on the ready at the hospital premises for at least a couple of hours now.
It is expected that her body will be kept at Rajaji Hall, the same place her mentor MG Ramachandran's body had been kept after his demise, for the people to pay their last respects.
1:50 am IST: The total number of ministers who were sworn in with Panneerselvam was 31. After he was sworn in, Panneerselvam placed a photo of Jayalalithaa in his chest-pocket as a mark of respect.
Meanwhile, reports say President Pranab Mukherjee will attend Jyalalithaa's funeral.
1:45 am IST: Meanwhile, AIADMK workers have been in a state of moruning outside the Apollo Hospitals ever since Jayalalithaa's death was announced. They had gathered there late on Sunday evening, following reports that she had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Chennai: AIADMK workers mourn the passing away of #jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/7Xdouu4pgi
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016
1:40 am IST: BJP leaders and Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Suresh Prabhu have also expressed grief at the demise of Jayalalithaa.
I express my grief and deep sorrow on the demise of Tamilnadu CM J Jayalalithaa
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) December 5, 2016
Deeply grieved at the passing away of Jayalalithaa ji.May her soul rest in peace.My heartfelt condolences
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 5, 2016
1:30 am IST: President Pranab Mukherjee has also sent his condolences.
Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Ms. Jayaram Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu #PresidentMukherjee
— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) December 5, 2016
1:25 am IST: Pannerselvam has been officially sworn in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
Senior AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam takes oath as the next CM of Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/8iwCls0pey
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016
1:20 am IST: The condolences are coming from everywhere, including actor Shah Rukh Khan.
Sad to hear of the passing away of Jayalalithaaji…May her soul rest in peace.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 5, 2016
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has also condoled the death of the AIADMK leader.
Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi condoles Selvi J.Jayalalithaa's death & pays homage. pic.twitter.com/SaQlk3gZAb
— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 5, 2016
1:15 am: The oath-taking ceremony has begun, with Governor C Vidyasagar Rao starting it off with two minutes' silence.
1:05 am: AIADMK leaders have reached Raj Bhavan, where Panneerselvam is expected to stake his claim to the chief minister's position in the state.
12:55 am IST: The Tamil Nadu government has declared seven days of mourning following Jayalalithaa's demise.
12:40 am IST: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of Jayalalithaa.
Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016
Jayalalithaa ji’s connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women & marginalized will always be a source of inspiration.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016
12:35 am IST: A three-day holiday has been declared for all schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu following Jayalalithaa's death.
12:30 am IST: Scotching all previous speculation, O Panneerselvam has been elected the leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party. This means he will be the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
12:25 am IST: Home Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed deep sadness at Jayalalithaa's death.
12:15 am IST: The Apollo Hospitals has announced that Jayalalithaa passed away at 11:30 p.m. on Monday.
Official statement of Apollo Hospital on #jayalalithaa 's death pic.twitter.com/b49SATjijw
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016
55 .m.